'I 


BERKELEY 


Qt  iii[ 


ORIGINAL, 


SHORT  AND  PRACTICAL 


SERMONS 


FOR 


EVERY  FEAST  OF  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  YEAR. 


THREE  SERMONS  FOR  EVERY  FEAST, 


BY 


F.  X.  WENINGER,  S.  J. 

Doctor  of  Theology. 


\  ^^STICij^ 


SECOND  EDITION.  W.'^a.  ^ 


CINCINNATI: 
C.  J.   H.   LOWEN, 

208  Sycamore  Street. 


UOAN  STACK 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1882,  by 

REV.  F.  X.  WENINGER,  D.  D., 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

All  Rights  Reserved. 


ELECTROTYPED  AT 

FRANKLIN   TYPE  FOUNDRY, 

CINCINNATI. 


MftriN 


WITH 


EPISCOPAL  APPROBATION. 


SSSrici 


^n>.. 


I       028 


PREFACE. 


To  keep  the  promise,  which  I  made,  I  have  also 
given  to  the  Press  a  series  of  Festival  Sermons. 

As  this  volume  is  intended  for  circulation  in  Europe 
as  well  as  in  America,  it  contains  Sermons  appropri- 
ate not  only  for  the  Feasts  kept  here,  but  likewise 
for  those  which,  in  greater  numbers,  are  observed  in 
Europe  and  in  other  trans-Atlantic  countries. 

I  hope,  nevertheless,  that  all  these  Festival  Sermons 
will  prove  acceptable  to  the  Reverend  Clergy  of  Amer- 
ica. For  the  Feasts  which  occur  during  the  week,  and 
are  not  of  obligation,  are  ofteil  made  the  subject- 
matter  of  the  Sunday  within  the  Octave. 

At  times,  too,  such  Feasts  fall  on  Sundays ;  as,  for 
instance.  Candlemas-day,  the  Feasts  of  the  Annunci- 
ation, of  St.  Joseph,  SS.  Peter  and  Paul,  the  Guardian 
Angels,  and  others. 

The  Sermons  set  down  for  Easter  Monday  and  Pen- 
tecost Monday  may  also  be  preached  on  Easter  and 
Pentecost  Sunday,  and  thus  we  obtain  six  Sermons 
instead  of  three  for  each  of  these  two  Solemnities. 

Since  the  Festival  Sermons  and  Sunday  Sermons 
form  a  series,  they  appear  under  one  and  the  same 

title,  and  their  contents  will  make  good  that  they  are 

(iii) 


IV  PREFACE. 

original  in  treatment — short  and  practical — three  for 
every  Festival. 

The  present  volume,  however,  is  nearly  as  large  as 
that  of  the  Sunday  Sermons,  for  the  reason  that,  as 
was  mentioned  above,  it  contains  Sermons  for  the 
Festivals  observed  in  Europe  and  elsewhere. 

Besides,  they  are  treated  more  fully  and  are  of 
greater  length.  For  since  on  Feast  days  the  people 
are  disposed  to  assist  longer  at  divine  service  than  on 
ordinary  Sundays,  the  Sermons,  too,  may  be  more 
protracted. 

May  Mary,  as  the  Mother  of  the  Incarnate  Word, 
bless  these  Sermons. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


FEAST  OF  THE  IMMACULATE 
CONCEPTION. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

"Thou  art  all  fair,  O  my  love,  and  there  is  not  a  spot  in  thee!  "—Cant.  4. 

AS  Christ,  in  a  figurative  manner,  is  compared  to 
the  sun,  whose  rise  imparts  strength,  consolation, 
and  growth  to  our  spiritual  life  ;  so,  in  the  same  figur- 
ative manner,  do  we  behold  in  Mary,  the  mother  of 
Jesus,  the  rosy  dawn  which  appeared  before  the  day 
of  salvation.  This  explains  why  we,  as  children  of 
God,  should  also,  at  the  beginning  of  Advent,  in  a 
special  manner,  renew  our  devotion  to  Mary,  the 
mother  of  God,  and  offer  her  our  homage  and  our 
petitions. 

The  feast  which  the  Church  celebrates  to-day  makes 
manifest  to  us  how  desirous  the  Church  is,  that,  during 
the  holy  time  of  Advent,  we  should  earnestly  and  with 
particular  ^rdor  recommend  ourselves  to  the  protection 
and  intercession  of  Mary. 

The  Church  celebrates  to-day  the  Feast  of  the  Im- 
maculate Conception  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

Making  abstraction  of  the  solemn  declaration  of 
Pope  Pius  IX.,  let  us  to-day  reflect  upon  the  reasons 
which  prove  to  our  mind  enlightened  by  faith — 


2  FEAST   OF    THE    IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

That  Mary  is  the  one,  and  the  only  07ie,  among  the 
children  of  men  who  came  into  existefice  free  from  every 
stain  of  sin. 

0  Mary,  we  pray  Thee,  obtain  for  us  the  grace  to 
Hve,  as  thy  children,  free  from  sin! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


Beloved  in  Christ :  I  have  said,  that  by  my  sermon 
of  to-day  in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  I  wish  to  re- 
mind you  of  the  reasons  which  prove  that  Mary  came 
into  existence  free  from  every  stain  of  original  sin.  I 
wish  to  do  it,  because  this  is  one  of  those  articles  of 
faith  which  are  so  frequently  misunderstood,  attacked, 
and  denied  by  the  enemies  of  our  holy  religion. 

What  an  advantage  it  would  be  if  all  the  children 
of  the  Church  were  so  thoroughly  instructed,  not  only 
in  this  article  of  faith,  but  as  regards  all  the  doctrines 
of  the  Church,  that  they  might  be  enabled  to  state 
definitely  and  correctly  the  articles  of  their  faith,  and 
show  forth  evidence  that  these  articles  are  revealed 
truths,  and  have  been  held  by  the  Church  at  all  times ! 

The  opponents  of  the  Church  misinterpret  her 
teachings.  The  same  may  be  said,  alas!  but  too  fre- 
quently of  Catholics  themselves  who  have  not  been 
thoroughly  instructed  in  their  religion, — those  who  are 
mere  nominal  Catholics,  and  who  live  as  such,  clearly 
manifesting,  by  their  actions,  that  they  do  not  live  of 
the  root  of  faith. 


FIRST   SERMON.  3 

In  the  case  of  non-Catholics  this  apparent  igno- 
rance is  often  but  a  deliberate  perversion  of  language. 
How  important,  therefore,  is  it,  that  every  well-in- 
structed Catholic  should  clearly  show  the  opponents 
of  religion  their  ignorance  and  their  willful  malice,  and 
prove  to  them  that  all  their  insinuations  and  accusa- 
tions against  the  Church  and  its  doctrines  are  utterly 
base,  and  really  merit  naught  but  contempt. 

Thus,  for  instance,  we  are  accused  of  adoring  the 
saints  and  their  images ;  of  purchasing  indulgences 
in  order  to  sin  more  freely;  of  adoring  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  and  of  placing  greater  confidence  in  her  as- 
sistance than  in  that  of  Christ  Himself. 

The  doctrine  of  Mary's  Immaculate  Conception  is 
especially  misrepresented.  Our  enemies  accuse  us  of 
believing  that  Mary  was  not  born  as  other  mortals, — 
that  she,  like  Christ,  was  conceived  by  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

What  pitiable  and  disgraceful  ignorance,  or  inten- 
tional malice,  which  can  invent  such  fables. 

Go  and  say  to  such  scoffers :  Friend,  let  me  disa- 
buse you  of  your  error.  Mary  was  a  human  being ;  St. 
Ann  was  her  mother,  and  St.  Joachim  her  father;  but 
the  omnipotence  of  God  prevented  her  being  deprived 
of  sanctifying  grace  and  being  born  in  disfavor  of  God, 
in  the  state  of  original  sin, — a  state  in  which  all  other 
children  of  Adam  are  born,  in  consequence  of  the  sin 
of  our  first  parents. 

This  privilege  was  a  particular  favor  granted  to  her 
by  God.    This  preference  was  due  to  her  as  the  one 


4  FEAST   OF   THE    IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

chosen  to  be  the  mother  of  the  Redeemer.  The 
learned  Duns  Scotus  has  justly  remarked:  ''God 
could  effect  this — it  was  proper  that  He  should  do 
so — hence  He  did  so."  He  preserved  Mary  free  from 
the  stain  of  original  sin. 

God  could Ao  it;  He  is  omnipotent!  It  was  proper 
that  He  should,  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  who  was  to  be 
born  of  Mary. 

Should  Jesus,  the  heavenly  Adam,  have  taken  His 
flesh  and  blood  from  a  soil  that  had  once  borne  the 
curse  of  sin  ?  This  would  not  have  been  fitting.  The 
body  of  the  primitive  Adam  was  taken  from  an  unpol- 
luted soil;  therefore  it  would  not  have  been  suitable 
that  the  body  of  Christ,  the  ''heavenly  Adam,"  as  the 
Apostle  calls  him,  should  be  taken  from  a  soil  stained 
by  sin.  He  who  triumphed  over  death  and  hell  could 
certainly  not  allow  His  mother  to  have  been  at  any 
time  under  the  control  of  Satan.  The  disgrace  of  the 
mother  taints  the  honor  of  the  son. 

When  we  take  into  consideration  the  dignity  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  and  her  rank  in  the  kingdom  of  God, 
we  undoubtedly  will  acknowledge  that  it  was  but  just 
she  should  be  endowed  with  this  purity.  As  mother 
of  the  Son  of  God  made  man,  she  was  to  be  enthroned 
at  the  right  hand  of  her  divine  Son  as  queen  of  heaven 
and  earth. 

The  world  was  without  blemish  when  it  came  forth 
from  the  hand  of  its  Creator.  The  angels,  both  vic- 
torious and  fallen,  came  into  existence  untarnished. 
Should  she  who  was  chosen  to  crush  the  serpent's 


FIRST   SERMON.  5 

head — she  who  was  to  be  the  queen  of  angels — ever 
have  been  a  slave  of  Satan  ? 

This  doctrine  is  confirmed  by  Sacred  Scripture  and 
the  teachings  of  the  holy  Fathers.  As  regards  Holy 
Scripture,  the  words  of  the  Lord  addressed  to  Satan 
in  paradise,  already  point  to  this  prerogative:  ''She 
shall  crush  thy  head."  This  assurance  was  given  him 
immediately  after  the  fall  of  man,  and  with  the  first 
promise  of  redemption. 

Had  Mary  been  born  in  the  state  of  original  sin, 
then  Satan  would  have  crushed  her  head,  and  not  she 
the  head  of  Satan.  This  crushing  points  to  a  total  de- 
struction of  the  power  of  Satan. 

Furthermore,  the  Sacred  Scriptures  speak  of  Mary, 
the  future  mother  of  the  Redeemer,  as:  "The  one 
chosen  one ;  the  stainless,  all-pure  one  ;  the  lily  among 
thorns;  the  sealed-up  fountain;  the  invincible  tower." 

The  angel  who  declared  unto  Mary  that  she  was  to 
be  the  mother  of  God,  called  her:  ''Full  of  grace." 
But  she  could  not  have  been  full  of  grace  had  she 
been  devoid  of  the  first  and  most  precious  of  all 
graces — freedom  from  sin — at  the  first  moment  of  her 
existence. 

The  prerogative  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  is  also  con- 
firmed by  tradition.  The  Apostle  St.  Andrew  de- 
clares, in  his  speech  delivered  in  the  presence  of  the 
pro-consul  of  Patras:  "Just  as  Adam  was  formed  of 
a  soil  on  which  the  curse  of  sin  had  never  rested,  so 
also  was  the  body  of  the  heavenly  Adam  formed  of  a 
sinless  virgin."    St.  Ambrose  calls  Mary  "free  from 


6  FEAST   OF   THE    IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

every  Stain  of  sin."  St.  Augustine  says:  ''When  sin 
is  spoken  of  let  no  mention  be  made  of  Mary,  be- 
cause of  the  honor  of  the  Lord." 

In  Hke  manner  do  all  the  Fathers  of  the  Church  ex- 
press themselves,  and,  with  St.  Chrysostom,  they  call 
Mary  purer  than  all  the  choirs  of  angels. 

The  devotion  of  the  faithful,  in  regard  to  this  pre- 
rogative of  the  Blessed  Virgin  rose  to  such  a  degree 
that  Pope  Pius  IX.  thought  it  opportune  to  proclaim 
this  dogma  an  article  of  faith,  in  contradiction  to  the 
growing  infidelity  with  which  the  world  regards  all 
revelation.  He  did  so,  in  the  fullest  conviction  that 
the  glory  which  would  accrue  to  Mary  by  this  decla- 
ration would,  at  the  same  time,  increase  and  strengthen 
devotion  to  her  in  the  hearts  of  all  the  faithful.  Sur- 
rounded by  two  hundred  bishops  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  he  pronounced  the  Immaculate  Conception 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  an  article  of  faith. 

Let  us  be  thankful  to  God  therefor.  Let  us  strive 
to  be  worthy  children  of  such  a  mother,  and,  by  a  pure 
and  sinless  life,  give  a  pleasing  and  meritorious  evidence 
of  our  joy  at  beholding  Mary  thus  glorified!    Amen! 


SECOND    SERMON. 


SECOND  SERMON. 

"And  a  great  sign  appeared  in  heaven:  A  woman  clothed  with  the  sun, 
and  the  moon  under  her  feet,  and  on  her  head  a  crown  of  twelve  stars." — 
Apoc.  12. 

AMONG  the  various  privileges  of  the  Blessed  Vir- 
gin, the  one  which  the  Church  recalls  to  us  by  the 
feast  of  to-day  strikes  us  as  being  altogether  peculiar 
in  character. 

In  regard  to  all  the  other  prerogatives  of  Mary, 
they  are  in  themselves  an  incitement  for  us,  who  are 
her  children,  to  derive  from  them  some  benefit  for 
ourselves,  and  to  sanctify  our  lives  by  the  imitation  of 
her  virtues. 

But  this  privilege  which  was  granted  to  none  but 
Mary,  seems,  exceptionally,  to  bear  no  practical  ref- 
erence whatever  to  our  life  of  virtue. 

And  yet  from  the  consideration  of  this  mystery  can 
be  drawn  much  that  has  reference  to  our  lives  as 
children  of  God.  I  admit :  We  certainly  had  not  the 
happiness  of  entering  this  world  free  from  the  stain 
of  sin ;  still  the  Sacrament  of  Baptism  which,  perhaps 
we  were  so  fortunate  as  to  receive  on  the  very  day, 
or  even  in  the  hour  of  our  birth,  cleansed  our  soul 
entirely  from  the  guilt  of  Adam.  Alas !  how  few 
preserve  their  baptismal  innocence!  How  soon  is  it 
lost !   And  why  is  this  ? 

A  glance  at  the  image  of  the  Immaculate  Conception 
zvill  give  you  the  answer  to  this  question. 


8  .    FEAST   OF   THE    IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

0  Mary,  whose  child  I  became  at  baptism,  beg  for 
me  the  grace  never  to  lose  my  baptismal  innocence ; 
or,  if  unfortunately  I  have  lost  it,  obtain  that  I  may 
again  cleanse  my  soul  from  every  stain  of  sin,  by  the 
baptism  of  penance ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


What  a  precious  boon  baptismal  innocence  is,  what 
an  extraordinary  grace,  what  a  singular  privilege !  In 
the  past  five  thousand  years  countless  persons  have 
lived  who  never  had  the  happiness  of  receiving  bap- 
tism. 

Although  Mary  was  the  only  being  among  all  the 
children  of  men  who  enjoyed  the  happiness  and  the 
singular  grace  of  coming  into  existence,  free  from  all 
stain  of  original  sin,  yet  we  also,  who  have  been  born 
of  Catholic  parents,  have  received,  without  any  merit 
of  our  own,  a  most  wondrous  grace,  in  being  so  soon 
cleansed  by  baptism  from  original  sin,  and  thereby 
becoming  pleasing  to  God. 

If  we  had  died  the  moment  after  receiving  baptism 
we  would  have  immediately  entered  heaven,  there  to 
enjoy  the  beatific  vision.  If  this  fact  furnishes  such  a 
potent  reason  for  being  grateful  to  God,  must  we  not 
be  filled  with  sadness  when  we  reflect  that  so  few  of 
those  baptized  retain  their  innocence  unto  the  close 
of  their  lives  ? 

Ask  of  yourself:  How  is  it  with  me?  Have  I  never 
in  my  life  committed  one  mortal  sin  ? — If  not,  oh !  then 


SECOND    SERMON. 


thank  God  and  rejoice.  But,  alas !  the  number  of 
those  who  are  conscious  of  this  privilege  is  very  small. 

As  regards  baptism,  there  are  millions  and  hun- 
dreds of  millions  who  share  this  happiness  with  us. 
But  how  few  of  these,  if  they  die  as  adults,  bear  their 
baptismal  innocence  beyond  the  grave !  And  how  few 
of  these  millions,  who  reach  manhood  or  old  age,  have 
never  in  their  life  sinned  mortally!  I  may  say  the 
large  majority  lose  the  precious  grace  of  innocence 
in  their  youth. 

And,  you  may  ask,  what  is  the  cause  of  this  ?  I 
said:  That  one  glance  at  the  image  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  which  we  are  accustomed  to  call  that  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception,  will  give  you  the  answer. 

As  is  well  known,  we  are  wont  to  represent  the  Im- 
maculate Conception  in  this  manner:  Mary  is  repre- 
sented as  a  virgin,  with  eyes  cast  down,  and  hands 
folded  as  if  in  prayer.  She  places  one  foot  upon  the 
moon,  whilst  with  the  other  she  crushes  the  head  of 
the  serpent  that  lies  upon  the  ground,  bearing  an  ap- 
ple in  its  mouth. 

Behold,  in  this  image  the  reasons  why  so  many  per- 
sons so  soon  lose  the  grace  of  baptism ;  behold  also 
the  virtues,  on  the  diligent  practice  of  which  depends 
the  preservation  of  baptismal  innocence! 

Mary  has  one  foot  upon  the  earth.  This  teaches 
us,  that  if  we  wish  to  retain  our  innocence  we  must 
sever  our  hearts  from  all  inordinate  desire  for  those 
things  which  the  world  offers — earthly  possessions, 
worldly  honor,  worldly  enjoyments. 


lO  FEAST   OF    THE    IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

We  must  fully  understand,  that  whatever  the  world 
may  offer  with  the  promise  of  rendering  us  happy 
here  below,  is  naught  but  dross  and  disappointment, 
that  can  never  satisfy  the  cravings  of  our  hearts,  which 
were  created  solely  for  God  and  for  heaven.  But  this 
conviction  must  be  so  entire,  that  we  not  only  do  not 
prefer  the  goods  and  pleasures  of  this  world  to  those 
spiritual  ones  which  our  faith  and  the  intercourse 
with  God  grant  us  even  in  this  world ;  but  that  we, 
moreover,  regard  them  in  the  same  light  as  did  St. 
Paul  when  he  said  :  I  regard  all  that  is  not  Christ,  as 
the  filth  of  the  street.  You  must  cherish  the  same 
sentiments  if  you  wish  to  preserve  your  baptismal 
innocence. 

But,  alas!  this  is  not  the  case  with  the  great  ma- 
jority of  the  children  of  the  Church.  They  overrate 
earthly  goods  and  enjoyments;  and  even  in  their 
early  youth  they  long  for  them  with  such  eagerness, 
that  very  soon  this  craving  proves  their  downfall  and 
the  occasion  for  mortal  sin. 

Mary  has,  at  the  same  time,  the  moon  under  her 
feet.  What  meaning  is  hidden  in  this  ?  The  moon  is 
a  symbol  of  mutability.  Man  but  too  often  forms 
good  resolutions,  but  as  often  fails  to  keep  them ;  he 
breaks  them  as  readily  as  if  he  had  never  made  them. 
If  all  Christians  were  to  adhere  to  the  resolutions 
which  they  formed  in  early  youth,  then  would  they 
also  preserve  their  innocence.    But  here  lies  the  fault. 

Circumstances  change:  one  leaves  his  home  and 
enters  with  others  on  the  every-day  duties  of  life.   He 


SECOND    SERMON.  I  I 

fails  in  the  resolutions  he  made  of  saying  his  prayers, 
of  frequently  receiving  the  Sacraments,  of  attending 
divine  service,  of  reading  spiritual  books,  and  thus  he 
becomes  careless,  yields  to  temptations,  and  commits 
grievous  sins. 

Mary  stands  wrapt  m  pious  meditation. 

If  you  wish  to  preserve  your  innocence  untarnished, 
walk  in  the  presence  of  God  with  recollection  of 
spirit,  and  pray  with  fervor.  The  holy  Fathers  have 
justly  remarked,  that  no  one  has  ever  lost  his  inno- 
cence who  did  not,  in  the  first  place,  grow  careless  in 
saying  his*  prayers,  or  neglect  them  altogether. 

And  to  what  does  the  serpent,  in  the  ii;nage  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception,  point?  I  answer:  It  points  to 
the  dangers  of  society  and  bad  company  ;  to  the  se- 
ducing power  of  bad  example,  and  encouragement  to 
evil  on  the  part  of  others.  This  is  the  means  which 
Satan  employs  most  frequently  in  bringing  souls  to 
ruin.  It  is  intercourse  with,  and  the  encouragement  of 
persons  who  have  already  become  habitual  sinners, 
which  exercise  the  most  potent  influence  over  innocent 
souls.  These  are  in  danger  of  gradually  ceasing  to 
regard  sin  as  a  dreadful  thing ;  and,  being  led  away  by 
the  persuasive  language  of  the  seducer,  they  depart 
from  the  narrow  path,  and  tread  the  broad  road  which 
leads  to  perdition.  Young  boys  and  girls  who  have 
had  the  advantage  of  a  religious  education  at  home, 
are  but  too  often  led  away  in  this  manner,  so  that  a 
few  months  after  their  first  communion  they  are  totally 
changed.     Intercourse  with  and  the  encouragement  of 


12  FEAST    OF    THE    IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

Others  have  instilled  the  poison  into  their  hearts,  and 
entangled  them  in  numerous  occasions  of  sin. 

Mary  crushes  the  head  of  the  serpent  that  holds  in 
its  mouth  the  apple  of  temptation.  What  does  this 
signify  ?  I  answer :  The  reason  why  so  many  persons 
lose  their  baptismal  innocence  is  this:  They  do  not 
resist  temptation  at  the  outset,  and  crush  its  first  be- 
ginnings. 

If  you  wish  to  retain  your  innocence  you  must  fol- 
low the  advice  of  Christ:  ''If  thy  eye,  hand,  or  foot 
tempt  thee,  cut  it  off — cast  it  away  ;  "  meaning  thereby, 
that  we  should  avoid  all  occasions  of  sin,  no  matter 
at  what  cost.  If  you  have  lost  your  innocence,  it  was 
because  you  did  not  follow  this  advice. 

The  image  represents  the  Virgin  with  eyes  cast 
down.  What  does  this  imply?  I  say,  if  you  wish  to 
preserve  your  innocence,  you  must  walk  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Lord  in  humility  of  spirit,  knowing  full 
well  how  weak  you  are  of  yourself  in  the  face  of 
temptation.  This  trait  in  the  image  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  says  to  you:   Humble  thyself! 

May  the  invocation  of  Mary  Immaculate  obtain  for 
us  grace,  that  by  the  practice  of  virtue  our  lives  may 
be  conformable  to  hers,  and  that  we,  in  this  world 
of  sin,  may  always  walk  pure  and  spotless  in  the  pres- 
ence of  God !    Amen ! 


THIRD   SERMON.  1 3 

THIRD  SERMON. 

'•Thou  art  terrible  as  an  army  set  in  array." — Cant.  vi. 

THE  Holy  Ghost  assures  us  that  the  life  of  man  is  a 
warfare.  It  began  at  the  fall  of  our  first  parents, 
and  rested  upon  all  of  Adam's  descendants,  excepting 
her,  whose  Immaculate  Conception  we  celebrate  to-day. 

Yes,  it  is  a  severe  struggle  which  we  have  to  main- 
tain against  the  powers  of  darkness  ;  against  Lucifer 
and  his  allies,  the  fallen  angels ;  against  the  world  and 
the  flesh,  which,  enrolled  under  the  standard  of  the 
fallen  prince  of  angels,  and  swayed  by  his  influence  and 
direction,  oppose  us  as  the  enemies  of  our  salvation. 

The  name  of  the  Church  upon  earth,  whose  chil- 
dren we  are,  reminds  us  of  this.  We  call  it  the 
"Church  militant,"  and  this  it  really  is.  But  for  this 
very  reason  is  she  destined  to  be  for  all  eternity  the 
*' Church  triumphant."  If  one  day  we  desire  to  join 
her  in  the  cry  of  victory,  then  must  we  also,  like  faith- 
ful children,  combat  and  triumph  with  her. 

It  is  certain  that  we  have  a  powerful  enemy  in  Lu- 
cifer and  his  allies  ;  still  we  have  no  reason  to  be  dis- 
couraged on  this  account,  since  Christ,  the  victor  over 
death  and  hell,  has  provided  us  with  so  many  weap- 
ons with  which,  assisted  by  His  grace,  we  can  ably 
defend  ourselves.  He  appointed  His  own  mother, 
Mary,  to  be,  in  particular,  the  guardian  of  His  Church 
and  of  His  children. 


14  FEAST    OF    THE    IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

Let  US  draw  near  to  her.  Assisted  by  her^  we  will 
most  assuredly  conquer. 

I  say  Mary  is  the  terror  of  hell,  the  well-ordered 
army  arrayed  against  the  enemies  of  our  salvation. 
Why?    To  this  I  will  give  the  answer  to-day. 

0  Mary,  we  unite  our  prayers  with  those  of  the 
Church  on  this  day,  and  fly  to  thee  for  aid  and  protec- 
tion.    Defended  by  thee,  no  temptation  can  harm  us! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


I  called  Mary  the  terror  of  hell.  In  her  conception 
she  crushed  the  head  of  Satan.  Protected  by  her  we 
will  be  stronger  than  all  the  powers  of  Satan. 

The  promise  which  was  given  in  paradise  by  the 
Redeemer,  points  to  Mary,  the  mother  of  the  Saviour, 
as  the  strong  woman  who  was  to  crush  the  head  of 
Satan.  And  the  same  is  verified  by  the  various  types 
which  Scripture  presents  to  us  in  the  heroines  of  the 
Old  Testament.  Deborah  and  Judith  were  types  or 
figures  of  the  Blessed  Virgin ;  and  the  Church  refers 
the  words  of  the  Canticle,  which  speaks  of  a  well-or- 
dered army  and  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  to  Mary. 

At  the  foot  of  the  cross  we  behold  Mary,  the  strong 
tower  before  which  hung  the  armor  of  the  mighty.  I, 
therefore,  justly  call  Mary  the  terror  of  hell. 

We  will  better  understand  these  types  by  consid- 
ering the  reasons  which  cause  a  general  to  fear  his 
adversary. 


THIRD    SERMON.  I  5 

The  first  is  the  very  person  of  an  opponent,  who, 
by  his  dignity,  his  character,  and  his  talents,  exercises 
an  unbounded  influence  over  the  army  intrusted  to 
his  command,  so  that  his  subjects,  urged  on  by  the 
consciousness  of  victory,  obey  his  every  word  without 
hesitation. 

How  terrible  is  Mary  in  this  respect,  as  opposed  to 
Satan.  It  is  true,  Lucifer  and  all  the  fallen  angels  were 
gifted  with  incomparably  higher  talents  than  we ;  but 
this,  their  former  natural  glory,  disappears  when  we 
remember  the  grandeur  of  Mary.  She  is  the  mother  of 
the  Jesus,  whom  the  eternal  Father  has  so  exalted  that 
in  His  name,  and  in  acknowledgment  of  His  power, 
every  knee  in  heaven  and  on  earth  shall  bend. 

Next  to  Christ,  seated  on  a  throne  of  glory,  is  His 
mother  Mary,  who  reigns  as  queen  of  heaven  and 
earth,  surrounded  with  such  glory  and  magnificence 
as  to  cause  all  the  former  splendor  of  Satan  to  vanish. 

In  connection  with  this  honor  and  glory,  Mary,  as 
mother  of  Jesus,  also  enjoys  a  power  which  gives  her 
the  right  to  say  with  Christ:  **To  me  is  given  all 
power  in  heaven  and  on  earth," — a  power  which 
likewise  justifies  her  in  saying  with  her  Son :  ''  No  one 
is  able  to  wrest  my  sheep  from  me,"  as  long  as  they 
have  recourse  to  me,  their  mother  and  queen.  Jesus, 
my  Son, 'has  shared  His  power  with  me.  I  can  oppose 
hell  with  His  words.  And  if  I  would  ask  Him  to 
send  me  even  a  legion  of  angels  to  fight  against  thee, 
Lucifer,  and  thy  hosts.  He  would  grant  my  request  at 
once. 


1 6  FEAST    OF    THE  IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

Not  only  is  Mary  in  herself  a  power  so  terrible  to 
hell,  but  how  many  other  powers  are  prepared,  await- 
ing only  her  command  to  fight  against  hell ! 

A  general  and  his  soldiers  are  filled  with  still 
greater  dismay  when  they  perceive  the  approaching 
commander  to  be  at  the  head  of  a  mighty  army,  val- 
iant, experienced  in  warfare,  and  in  every  respect  su- 
perior to  their  own.  Mary  is  the  queen  of  angels,  of 
whom  each  one  has  baffled  and  triumphed  over  Lu- 
cifer. 

Let  us  call  to  mind  the  arrogance  of  Sennacherib 
who,  relying  on  the  strength  of  his  armies,  contemned 
God,  and,  as  it  were,  challenged  Him  to  combat.  The 
following  day  185,000  corpses  were  strewn  around 
Jerusalem.  In  one  night  they  were  slain  by  one 
single  angel  whom  God  had  sent,  and  Jerusalem  was 
delivered.  I  make  the  application  and  say :  All  the 
angels  look  up  to  Mary  as  their  queen,  and  they  are 
prepared  to  fight  against  hell  at  any  moment,  when 
there  is  question  of  the  salvation  of  a  soul  who  im- 
plores the  protection  of  the  mother  of  God. 

Thus  it  occurred  at  one  time  that  a  number  of  evil 
spirits  besieged  the  death-bed  of  a  woman  who,  in  her 
agony,  called  upon  Mary.  Mary  summoned  Michael, 
the  archangel.  He,  accompanied  by  numerous  angels, 
advanced  towards  the  dying  person,  and  the  evil 
spirits  fled  in  dismay. 

So  also  St.  Francis  Jerome,  dying,  cast  a  glance  on 
an  image  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  sighed:  **  O  Mary, 
thou  who  hast  ever  been  my  refuge,  protect  me  in 


THIRD    SERMON.  I  7 

this  hour!"  And  lo !  his  countenance  became  radi- 
ant, and,  bowing  to  the  image  of  the  Virgin,  he  said 
joyfully:  ''Now  all  is  right — Magnificat" — and  his 
spirit  was  released. 

Just  as  a  person  is  terrified  and  draws  back  when  a 
flash  of  lightning  has  struck  something  near  him,  so 
also  Satan  retreats,  when,  in  temptation,  we  call  upon 
Mary.    This  is  affirmed  by  Thomas  a  Kempis. 

A  general  is  filled  with  dread  if  he  is  aware  that  the 
commander  who  opposes  him  possesses  more  strategic 
talents  than  he,  and  is  thereby  better  fitted  to  com- 
mand. Lucifer  knows  full  well  that  he  has  such  an 
opponent  in  Mary,  the  queen  of  the  cherubim,  the 
seat  of  heavenly  wisdom,  the  wisest  of  virgins. 

And  when  a  general  knows  that  his  opponent  has 
often  fought,  and  has  always  been  victorious,  this 
knowledge  especially  strikes  terror  into  his  soul.  But 
count  the  victories  of  Mary. 

St.  Bernard  could  in  truth  address  the  Blessed 
Virgin  thus :  "O  Mary,  it  is  unheard  of,  that  any  one 
has  fled  to  thy  protection  or  sought  thy  mediation 
without  obtaining  relief."  And  does  not  the  Church 
refer  these  words  also  to  Mary:  **  Whoever  seeks  me 
will  find  life,  and  obtain  salvation  from  the  Lord?'* 
And  the  holy  Fathers  unanimously  declare  that  the 
veneration  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  is  a  sure  pledge  of 
perseverance  in  the  hour  of  death.  It  is  indeed  a 
highly  consoling  thought  expressed  by  the  spiritual 
writers,  that  no  one  for  whom  Mary  has  once  offered 
her  prayers  to  God  will  be  lost.     Mary   obtains  for 


1 8  FEAST    OF    THE    IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

those  souls  the  grace  of  conversion  and  of  persever- 
ance to  the  end  ;  that  is,  if  we  earnestly  desire  to  do 
all  that  Mary  requires  of  us.  And  what  these  require- 
ments are,  can  be  inferred  from  the  words  she  ad- 
dressed to  the  waiters  in  the  dining-hall  at  Canaan: 
"Do  all  that  He  bids  you  to  do;  "  that  is  to  say,  if 
we  have  but  the  sincere  good-will  to  follow  Christ  in 
the  manner  in  which  the  Church  teaches  us,  then  we 
may  expect  every  thing  from  the  Blessed  Virgin,  even 
if  the  bringing  about  of  our  conversion  required  a 
miracle. 

It  is  especially  the  devotion  to  Mary  in  her  Immac- 
ulate Conception,  which  proves  a  powerful  weapon  in 
our  strife  against  hell.  If  you  are  severely  tempted, 
say  one  Ave  every  night  and  morning,  in  honor  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception.  Call  on  the  Blessed  Virgin 
in  the  hour  of  temptation,  and  you  will  be  victorious. 

When  confidence  fills  the  warrior's  breast,  then  may 
it  be  said  that  victory  is  assured.  And  we  certainly 
will  not  lack  this  feeling  of  confidence  if  we  place 
ourselves  under  the  victorious  banner  of  Mary,  for 
she  is  the  mother  of  the  children  of  God,  and  the 
mother  of  sweet  hope. 

May  the  Blessed  Virgin  so  dispose  our  hearts  in 
fighting  for  God,  and  for  the  salvation  of  our  immortal 
souls,  that  with  her  we  may  conquer  and  be  crowned ! 
Amen! 


FEAST  OF  CHRISTMAS. 


FIRST  SERMON. 


**  And  suddenly  there  was  with  the  angel  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host, 
praising  God  and  saying :  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest !  " — Luke  2. 

"  PRAISE  be  to  God  on  high!  "    This  was  the  ju- 

1  bilant  cry  of  myriads  of  angels  at  the  annunci- 
ation of  the  birth  of  the  divine  Child, — the  promised 
Saviour  of  the  world. 

Who  is  there  among  us  that  would  not  be  glad  to 
have  listened  with  the  watching  shepherds  to  the  hymn 
of  the  heavenly  host,  and  heard  the  joyous  tidings  that 
his  Redeemer  was  come? 

We  have  by  far  more  reason  to  rejoice  at  the  eter- 
nal decree  which  sent  to  our  fallen  race  a  Redeemer, 
a  Saviour — far  more  than  the  angels  who  had  never 
forfeited  their  supernatural  destiny,  nor  the  gifts  and 
graces  of  their  primitive  righteousness. 

For,  as  St.  Paul  tells  us,  it  was  not  the  fallen 
angels,  but  the  race  of  Adam  that  the  arm  of  God's 
infinite  mercy  had  seized. 

Le^  us  therefore,  to-day,  consider  the  special  graces 

which  we  have  received  through  Christ,  and  for  which 

our  Gloria  of  thanksgiving  should  ascend  to  heaven. 

(19) 


20  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 

0  Mary,  queen  of  angels,  mother  of  Jesus,  offer 
our  homage  to  thy  divine  Son,  and  obtain  for  us  that 
our  hves  may  be  a  token  of  that  gratitude  which  a 
creature  owes  to  his  God  and  Redeemer ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


'"And  when  He  bringeth  in  the  first  begotten  into 
the  world,  all  the  angels  of  God  will  adore  Him."  Thus 
wrote  St.  Paul  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  And 
so  indeed  it  was.  Christ  comes  into  the  world  in  the 
stillness  of  night,  and  behold  !  an  angel  of  God,  illum- 
ined with  the  brightness  of  heavenly  splendor,  an- 
nounces to  the  shepherds  the  birth  of  the  Saviour; 
and  a  host  of  the  heavenly  spirits  hover  near  him,  and 
with  him  entone  the  Gloria  :  ''  Glory  be  to  God  in  the 
highest ! "  The  entire  space  between  earth  and  the 
highest  heaven  is  thronged  with  angels  innumerable. 
Blessed  Michael,  the  archangel,  and  the  other  heav- 
enly chiefs  surround  the  manger,  and  unite  with  all 
the  choirs  in  rendering  homage  to  the  divine  Child,  as 
to  their  God  and  King. 

The  first  motive  which  caused  their  spirits  to  be 
filled  with  joy  at  the  sight  of  the  divine  Infant,  was 
His  Personality  as  regarded  in  itself. 

As  is  testified  by  the  book  of  Job,  the  angels  re- 
joiced when  God  called  the  visible  world  into  exist- 
ence ;  and  with  good  reason,  for  the  whole  exterior 
world  is  a  reflection  of  the  divine  power,  wisdom, 
grandeur,  goodness,  and  majesty.    If  the  view  of  the 


FIRST    SERMON.  21 

earth  and  of  the  starry  heavens  fills  even  us  with  ad- 
miration, and  causes  our  spirits  to  be  lost  in  amazement 
at  the  power  and  wisdom  of  God,  must  not  the  angels 
have  wondered  still  more  ?  For  the  various  forces  of 
nature,  with  which  we  become  acquainted  only  by  de- 
grees, were  no  mystery  at  all  to  them ;  all  things  were 
distinctly  visible  to  the  eyes  of  the  angel  world. 

But  In  what  an  infinitely  higher  degree  must  not 
the  view  of  the  divine  Infant  have  disposed  them  to 
offer  praise  to  God.  They  beheld  in  the  child  lying  in 
the  manger  before  them,  the  Creator  of  the  world, 
wonderfully  uniting  the  divine  and  human  nature,  In 
the  person  of  the  Son  of  God.  They  beheld,  reflected 
In  this  divine  Child,  all  those  infinite  perfections  of 
God,  the  contemplation  of  which  has  been  to  them  a 
source  of  happiness  since  the  day  of  their  creation. 
Although  He  appears  to  men  but  a  feeble  Child,  they 
beheld  in  Him,  at  the  same  time,  the  omnipotence  of 
God :  although  He  seemed  not  possessed  of  knowledge, 
yet  they  saw  in  Him  the  Infinite  wisdom  of  God.  In 
this  Infant  scarcely  born  they  already  beheld  infinite 
holiness;  in  this  poor  Infant,  the  majesty,  glory,  and 
magnificence  of  the  King  of  heaven  and  earth  ;  in  this 
suffering  Child  they  beheld  effused  the  divine  happi- 
ness and  delight.  They  beheld  in  Jesus  their  King, 
wliose  prerogatives  outshine  the  splendor  of  all  the 
angelic  choirs.  They  had  reason  to  rejoice,  and  to 
give  honor  to  God  for  this  the  greatest  of  all  His 
miracles. 

It  is  true,  it  is  not  granted  to  us  here  on  earth  to 


2  2  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 


view  the  prerogatives  of  the  Infant  Jesus  in  this  same 
clear  light ;  and  yet  I  say  we  have  greater  cause  than 
had  the  angels  to  rejoice  at  the  sight  of  the  olivine 
Child.  For  this  Infant  is  no  angel,  but  a  human  be- 
ing ;  this  Child  did  not  assume  the  nature  of  an  angel, 
but  that  of  man ;  He  is  true  man  as  He  is  true  God. 
Notwithstanding  all  the  glory  of  the  angels  they  are 
only  allowed  to  call  Jesus  their  king,  but  not  their 
brother.  We,  on  the  contrary,  through  Christ,  were 
not  only  made  children  of  God,  but  also  His  brothers. 
What  a  pledge  of  our  glorification  among  the  angels, 
if  one  day  we  be  permitted  to  be  in  communion  with 
them  in  heaven!  If  the  angels,  as  it  were,  form  the 
body  of  the  heavenly  crown,  we,  the  sons  of  men, 
will  be  the  precious  stones  adorning  it. 

There  is  another  reason  why  our  joy  should  exceed 
that  of  the  angels.  Though  man  may  mourn  the  loss 
of  a  valuable  gift,  still,  if  that  gift  be  restored  to  him 
augmented  in  value,  and  with  the  assurance  that  he  is 
to  keep  it  for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  joy  is 
redoubled. 

The  angels  were  in  possession  of  heaven  and  re- 
tained it.  We,  on  the  contrary,  through  the  fall  of 
Adam,  lost  sanctifying  graee  and  heaven  at  the  same 
time,  and  from  being  children  of  God,  we  became  the 
slaves  of  Satan.  What  a  loss,  and  how  sad  the  con- 
dition of  our  souls ! 

But  through  Christ  we  have  regained  sanctifying 
grace,  and  have  obtained  the  privilege  of  again  being 
children  of  God  and  heirs  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 


FIRST    SERMON.  23 

a  heaven  where  now  a  still  greater  glorification  awaits 
us,  than  if  we  had  never  lost  it.  What  a  motive  for 
joy  beyond  the  joy  of  the  angels ! 

Through  the  fall  of  Adam,  and  the  loss  of  sanctify- 
ing grace,  the  natural  powers  of  our  souls  were 
weakened.  This  was  never  the  case  with  the  holy 
angels.  The  tinder  standing  of  man  was  dimmed  in 
matters  pertaining  to  his  salvation ;  his  will  weakened, 
his  heart  bowed  down  with  grief  and  care. 

But  cast  a  glance  at  the  divine  Infant.  Through 
Christ,  as  children  of  the  Church,  our  understanding 
is  enlightened  by  the  light  of  divine  revelation. 

Our  will  was  weakened.  But  glance  at  the  divine 
Child.  Through  Christ  we  are  permitted  to  say  with 
St.  Paul:  *'I  can  do  all  things  in  Him  who  strength- 
ens me."  Verily,  by  His  grace  man  is  strong  enough 
and  enabled  to  lead  the  life  of  angels  even  in  this 
world  by  the  practice  of  the  evangelical  counsels. 

After  one  victory  the  angels  had  no  opportunity  of 
gaining  new  triumphs,  and  thereby  attaining  a  higher 
degree  of  glory.  We  have  this  opportunity  in  the 
struggle  with  passion  and  temptation ;  we  can  ever 
gain  new  merits  for  heaven,  and  increase  our  glory 
by  the  practice  of  virtue.  What  an  inducement  for  us 
to  sing  songs  of  gladness,  more  joyous  than  the 
angels'  Gloria! 

The  fall  of  Adam  deprived  us  of  paradise,  and  trans- 
formed this  earth  Into  a  vale  of  tears  and  sorrows. 
A  similar  loss  the  angels  never  experienced,  there- 
fore they  never  had  an  opportunity  of  suffering.     But 


24  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 

to  endure  sorrow  and  tribulation  for  God's  sake, 
is  a  means  of  proving  our  faithful  and  constant  love 
to  God,  in  a  manner  in  which  the  angels  never  could 
manifest  it.  It  is  exactly  the  endurance  of  these  suf- 
ferings, which  will  one  day  prove  the  heaviest  weight 
in  the  balance  of  our  celestial  joys.  What  a  motive 
to  rejoice  even  more  than  did  the  angels  at  the  birth 
of  Christ! 

Finally,  the  sin  of  Adam  brought  on  death;  its  ter- 
rors were  never  known  to  the  angels,  and  yet,  if  in 
the  hour  of  death  we  unite  our  will  to  that  of  divine 
Providence,  we  may  one  day  be  permitted  to  exclaim 
exultingly:  ''Death!  where  is  thy  sting?  It  was  lost 
in  the  victory  of  Him  Who  has  risen  gloriously."  Our 
entrance  into  the  joys  of  eternal  life  has  therefore  be- 
come more  meritorious  for  us.  And  for  this  reason, 
children  of  the  Church,  let  us  go  to  the  manger  and 
entone  the  Gloria  of  the  angels  with  fullest  joy ;  and 
let  us  petition  the  Infant  Jesus  to  grant  us  this  one 
grace,  namely :  that  in  us  may  also  be  accomplished 
the  words  of  the  angel:  '*  On  earth  peace  to  men  of 
good  will." 

We  are  of  good  will,  Infant  Jesus  !     Amen  ! 


SECOND  SERMON.  25 


SECOND   SERMON. 

"And  the  shepherds  said  one  to  another :  Let  us  go  over  to  Bethlehem, 
and  let  us  see  this  word  that  has  come  to  pass,  which  the  Lord  hath  showed 
to  us." — Luke  2. 

THE  joyous  feast  of  Christmas  once  more  fills  with 
gladness  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  the  Church. 
It  is  the  feast  which  bears  the  significant  name  of  the 
gracious  nativity  of  our  Lord  and  Redeemer  Jesus 
Christ.  For,  in  truth,  the  incarnation  and  birth  of  the 
Son  of  God  are  the  source  of  all  the  graces  which  we 
have  received  through  His  life  here  on  earth,  and 
through  His  death. 

But  that  these  graces  may  really  serve  unto  our 
salvation,  depends  upon  the  care  with  which  we  dis- 
pose ourselves  to  receive  them,  and  upon  the  earnest- 
ness of  our  co-operation. 

To  understand  the  nature  of  that  co-operation, 
which  may  prove  meritorious,  we  need  only  glance 
at  the  shepherds,  and  consider  their  mode  of  acting 
when  the  angel  addressed  to  them  the  words  impart- 
ing the  glad  tidings  of  the  birth  of  the  world's  Re- 
deemer :  To-day  is  born  for  you  the  Redeemer  of  the 
world — go  to  Bethlehem,  and  you  will  find  the  Infant 
lying  in  the  manger.  ''Yes,  let  us  go  to  Bethlehem," 
said  they;  and  they  hastened  thither  and  found  the 
child  with  Mary  and  Joseph. 

A  study  of  the  conduct  of  the  shephej^ds  will  show  us 
how  we  may  derive  permanejit  profit  frofn  the  holy  feast 


26  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 

of  Christmas,  and  what  dispositions  we  should  have  ta 
receive  with  fruit  the  inspirations  of  grace. 

0  Mary,  look  down  upon  us  with  that  condescen- 
sion with  which  thou  didst  regard  the  shepherds  the 
first  among  the  faithful,  who  paid  homage  to  thy  di- 
vine Child ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


In  the  first  place,  they  were  watchfid  shepherds. 
The  inhabitants  of  Bethlehem  were  asleep ;  the  shep- 
herds were  watching.  This  circumstance  points  to 
the  first  condition  necessary  to  really  perceive  the  call 
of  grace,  namely :  we  must  walk  in  the  presence  of 
God  in  recollection  of  spirit. 

Why  is  it  we  feel  so  few  inspirations  of  grace  ?  Be- 
cause we  are  not  watchful. 

Christ  says :  Blessed  are  the  servants  whom  the 
Lord  finds  watching.  Even  those  who  call  themselves 
children  of  the  Church,  generally  lead  a  life  of  care- 
lessness ;  they  are  men  of  habit,  they  fulfill  the  duties 
of  their  state  as  Christians,  but  only  superficially,  and 
are  mainly  engaged  in  devising  plans  for  the  increase 
of  their  worldly  profits.  But  how  little  attention  at 
prayer  and  in  the  performance  of  their  other  religious 
duties!  How  often  they  fail  to  recognize  and  receive 
the  inspirations  of  the  Holy  Ghost !  This  indolence 
and  sleepiness  in  the  service  of  God  also  prevents  us 
from  clearly  seeing  those  faults  which,  through  care- 


SECOND    SERMON.  27 

lessness,  precipitation,  or  impatience,  find  their  way 
into  our  ordinary  actions. 

Such  lukewarm,  sleepy  souls  also  lose  many  oppor- 
tunities of  performing  works  of  charity,  and  do  not 
interest  themselves  in  the  least  about  the  spiritual  or 
temporal  welfare  of  their  neighbor. 

The  shepherds  of  that  Christmas  night  were  reso- 
lute men,  resolute  servants  of  the  Lord.  They  did  not 
say :  Oh,  It  is  night,  and  we  had  better  wait  till  day- 
break !  No ;  but  when  they  heard  the  words  of  the 
angel,  they  resolved  to  carry  out  at  once  the  instruc- 
tions given. 

Why  is  it,  that  in  so  many  cases  the  inspirations 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  remain  fruitless?  I  reply:  Strong 
will  is  wanting,  a  strong  will  to  accomplish  not  only 
in  part  but  wholly  all  that  we  know  to  be  the  will  of 
God,  without  wavering  or  excuse.  This  want  of  de- 
termination is  an  obstacle  to  the  efficacy  of  grace,  and 
prevents  its  bearing  fruit. 

This  weakness  of  will  and  want  of  resolution  comes 
from  an  excessive  care  for  temporal  things,  from  an 
undue  fear  of  mortal  man  ;  and  finally  from  the  diffi- 
culties connected  with  the  accomplishment  of  a  good 
work. 

When  the  angel  announced  the  glad  tidings  to  the 
shepherds,  they  were  tending  their  sheep  ;  and  yet 
they  did  not  hesitate  to  leave  their  flocks  and  hasten 
to  Bethlehem  to  seek  the  divine  Child. 

How  different  the  conduct  of  the  majority  of  men 
when  there  is  question  of  some  worldly  gain!    They 


28  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 

are  all  anxiety.  They  listen  with  eagerness  to  every 
advice,  to  every  word  regarding  the  advancement  of 
their  temporal  affairs  ;  but  they  are,  so  to  say,  blind 
and  deaf,  when  the  question  of  attending  to  their  spir- 
itual interests  is  urged  upon  them. 

The  shepherds  determined  upon  going,  and  did  not 
stop  to  consider  what  the  inhabitants  of  Bethlehem 
might  say  when  they  came  there  to  make  inquiries 
for  the  Child, — to  salute  an  Infant  born  in  a  rude  stable, 
and  to  adore  Him  as  the  promised  Messiah,  the  heir 
of  the  family  of  David. 

The  fear  of  man  is,  alas !  the  reason  why  so  many 
fail  in  their  courage  to  follow  the  inspirations  of 
grace. 

What  will  people  say  ?  is  the  discouraging  impedi- 
ment opposing  them  on  all  sides.  They  have  an  idea 
that  if  they  walk  fearlessly  in  the  way  of  salvation  the 
children  of  the  world  will  regard  them  as  ignorant,  as 
slaves  of  the  priests.  And  yet  what  little  cause  have 
we  to  fear  the  children  of  this  world,  who,  in  spirit- 
ual matters,  are  so  ignorant  and  so  short-sighted.  If 
God  is  with  us,  who  can  be  against  us,  or  who  can 
harm  us? 

The  shepherds  continued  to  listen  to  the  echo  of  the 
Gloria  which  the  angels  sang,  and  thus  assured  them- 
selves that  God  was  with  them. 

It  was  not  a  very  pleasant  task  to  wander  through 
Ithe  streets  of  Bethlehem  at  night,  to  awaken  the  in- 
habitants from  their  slumbers,  and  make  inquiries  con- 
cerning the  newly-born  Child.     But  they  disregarded 


SECOND    SERMON.  29 

these  difficulties  and  obstacles,  and  hastened  onward 
without  delay. 

What  so  frequently  renders  the  inspirations  of 
grace  fruitless,  is  our  deficiency  in  self-denial ;  our 
love  of  ease  is  the  great  obstacle.  It  is  true,  we  make 
good  resolutions  at  times,  but  we  postpone  the  fulfill- 
ment of  them,  and  thus  never  accomplish  them. 

The  shepherds  found  the  Infant  and  adored  Him, 
and  offered  Him  their  hearts  ;  and,  as  tradition  teaches, 
they  also  presented  Him  with  such  gifts  as  their  pov- 
erty would  allow. 

That  which  gives  efficacy  to  the  inspirations  of 
grace,  is  the  spirit  of  prayer  and  of  devotion  in  our 
spiritual,  intercourse  with  Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph. 
But  it  is  especially  the  intercourse  we  hold  with  Jesus 
in  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  Yes,  here  is  Bethlehem, 
the  city  of  bread,  where  Jesus  lies  in  the  tabernacle 
as  in  a  crib,  shrouded  in  the  white  raiments  of  the 
sacramental  species.  What  a  fountain  of  grace  here 
discloses  itself  to  our  view !  Would  that  we  but  prof- 
ited by  it  as  we  might ! 

We  really  have  no  cause  to  envy  the  shepherds 
their  happiness,  in  being  allowed  to  behold  the  Infant 
Jesus  once,  and  to  adore  Him.  We  are  permitted  to 
visit  the  same  Infant  Jesus  every  day,  and  even  to  re- 
ceive Him  into  our  hearts.  Thus  our  hearts  become, 
as  it  were,  the  crib,  and  we  are  enabled  through 
Christ,  as  children  of  God,  to  taste  of  heaven's  joys, 
even  while  yet  living  on  this  earth. 


30  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 

The  shepherds  praised  and  thanked  God  for  the 
favor  they  had  received. 

Not  without  reason  does  the  Church  call  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  the   Sacrament  of  thanksgiving. 

O  Infant  Jesus,  filled  with  these  sentiments  we 
prostrate  ourselves  before  Thee  with  the  shepherds, 
and  with  them  we  worship  Thee!  Bless  us,  as  Thou 
hast  blessed  them,  and  save  us  through  the  power  and 
the  graces  of  Thy  coming  into  this  world  !    Amen ! 


THIRD    SERMON.  3 1 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"There  was  no  room  for  them  in  the  inn." — Luke  2. 

THE  joyous  feast  of  the  nativity  of  Jesus  Christ  re- 
minds us  of  the  greatest  of  divine  deeds ;  namely, 
The  entrance  of  the  Creator  into  the  world  which  He 
created,  which  He  wished  to  reconcile  to  Himself 
by  the  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  thus  at 
the  same  time  redeem  the  fallen  race  of  man,  and 
rescue  it  from  the  abyss  of  eternal  destruction. 

But  to  prepare  for  His  entrance  into  this  world,  a 
series  of  wonderful  events  occurred  in  accordance 
with  the  divine  decree,  such  as :  The  preservation  of 
Noah  in  the  ark ;  the  election  of  Abraham ;  the  send- 
ing of  Moses,  the  lawgiver  of  the  Old  Testament; 
the  deliverance  of  the  people  of  Israel,  by  signs  and 
miracles  the  most  astonishing ;  the  imparting  of  the 
law  on  Mt.  Sinai  amid  thunder  and  lightning ;  the 
manna  from  heaven  which  served  the  people  as  nour- 
ishment for  forty  years ;  the  sending  of  the  prophets 
with  the  intimation  that  the  time  was  drawing  nigh  in 
which  the  Saviour  was  to  come.  ''  Drop  down  dew, 
ye  heavens,  and  ye  clouds  rain  down  the  Just."  Thus 
they  sighed  and  united  their  petition  with  that  of  the 
whole  human  race,  longing  to  be  released  from  the 
bonds  of  sin  and  its  consequences. 

Four  thousand  years  were  consumed  in  this  prep- 
aration, and  still  when  He,  whom  Jacob  had  desig- 
nated *'the  desire  of  the  eternal  hills,"  really  came. 


32  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 

the  world  did  not  receive  its  Redeemer  and  Deliverer. 
*'  He  came  into  His  own,  and  His  own  received  Him 
not." 

And  even  as  regards  the  children  of  the  Churchy  how 
many  of  them  might  be  reproached  with  these  same 
wo7^ds  of  the  evangelist:  ''He  came  into  His  own,  and 
His  own  received  Him  not!''  And  why?  To  this  I 
will  reply  to-day. 

0  Mary,  queen  of  prophets,  who  with  such  ardent 
desire  hast  of  the  Holy  Ghost  conceived  thy  Lord 
and  Redeemer,  and  to  whom  thou  hast  so  entirely  un- 
closed thy  heart,  when  He  rested  underneath  it,  ob- 
tain for  us  the  grace  that  Christ  may  also  enter  our 
hearts,  and  make  them  His  home  forever! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


**  He  came  into  His  own,  and  His  own  received  Him 
not,"  said  the  evangelist.  Alas !  it  was  so,  it  is  so  at 
present,  and  will  probably  remain  so  till  the  consum- 
mation of  ages. 

Christ  enters  this  world,  and  Bethlehem  bars  its 
gates.  Three  kingly  sages  adore  Him,  and  Herod  al- 
ready seeks  to  destroy  His  life.  Christ  enters  upon 
His  public  career,  and  the  wrath  of  the  Pharisees, 
priests,  and  scribes  is  enkindled.  More  than  once 
they  sought  to  take  away  His  life,  and  finally  went  so 
far  as  to  crucify  Him! 

In  the  same  manner  the  heathens  opposed  the  an- 


THIRD    SERMON.  33 

nouncement  of  the  Gospel.  Instead  of  joyfully  greet- 
ing and  joining  the  Church,  they  brandished  the 
sword  of  persecution  against  it,  and  during  three 
hundred  years  they  hunted  down  every  confessor  of 
the  holy  faith.  The  blood  of  millions  flowed,  until 
finally  the  cross  adorned  the  crown  of  the  Roman  em- 
perors. ' 

For  nineteen  hundred  years  the  Pagans  have  per- 
sistently opposed  the  spread  of  the  Holy  Church. 
To  this  hour  they  wage  a  persecution  of  blood  against 
those  who  profess  the  name  of  Jesus  and  worship 
Him  as  the  Redeemer  of  the  world. 

But  those  especially  deserve  our  pity,  who,  calling 
themselves  children  of  the  Church,  and  exteriorly 
professing  their  faith,  yet  banish  Jesus,  their  Saviour, 
from  their  hearts.  To  these  the  words  of  the  evan- 
gelist point,  where  he  says  :  ''There  was  no  room  for 
them  at  the  inn." 

The  human  heart  can  but  too  well  be  compared  to 
an  inn  which  is  filled  with  a  number  of  guests,  and 
from  the  interior  of  which  resound  the  words  which 
refuse  our  Lord  admittance:  There  is  no  room  here 
for  you !     Pass  on  ! 

The  door  of  an  inn  is  constantly  open.  There  is  a 
continual  coming  and  going,  and  the  character  of  the 
guests  is  not  inquired  into.  It  is  no  place' for  prayer, 
or  the  fulfillment  of  one's  religious  duties;  on  the 
contrary,  we  find  there  only  tumult  and  continual 
restlessness. 

Thus  it  is  with  the  heart  of  him  who  leads  a  life  in 


34  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 

compliance  with  the  spirit  of  the  world.  Such  a  heart 
is  open  to  all  that  passes ;  all  sorts  of  inordinate  de- 
sires find  their  way  into  it,  so  that  there  is  no  room 
for  Jesus  to  find  therein  a  permanent  abode. 

But  certainly  this  does  not  hinder  the  Infant  Jesus 
from  again  knocking,  and  attempting  still  to  find  a 
place  for  Himself  in  the  deluded  heart  of  man.  By 
His  inspirations  He  knocks  repeatedly  at  the  door  of 
the  heart,  and  exclaims  :  Open  your  heart ! — Who  are 
you,  and  what  do  you  wish?  is  the  question  from 
within.  The  Infant  Jesus  replies  :  Look  at  me,  lying 
in  a  poor  manger  in  a  stable.  I  have  come  to  disen- 
gage your  heart  from  love  of  riches,  to  teach  you  the 
love  and  practice  of  the  virtue  of  poverty.  The 
worldling  answers  :  Go,  there  is  no  room  here  for  you. 
Could  a  different  answer  be  expected  ?  The  world- 
ling's love  is  centered  on  his  money,  his  attention  on 
the  increase  of  his  temporal  possessions.  What  a 
multitude  of  thoughts,  desires,  plans,  and  projects 
keep  him  busy !  There  is  no  vacant  spot  for  the  poor 
Infant  Jesus. 

Jesus  knocks  at  the  heart  of  the  worldling. — What 
do  you  wish  ? — Open  thy  heart,  that  I  may  make 
my  home  with  thee.  I  would  like  to  teach  you  to  love 
and  practise  the  virtue  of  humility.  But  the  worldling 
wishes  to  hear  nothing  of  humility ;  his  heart  is  filled 
with  a  longing  for  esteem  and  glory,  with  self-praise, 
self-will,  and  self-love. 

What  a  tumult  reigns  in  such  a  heart !  Innumer- 
able thoughts  of  vain  desires,  of  vain  ambition  come 


THIRD    SERMON.  35 

and  go.  No  room  for  you,  says  the  deluded  worldling ; 
pass  on ! 

Jesus  knocks  at  the  door  of  the  heart. — What  do 
you  wish? — Open ;  let  me  in.  I  will  teach  you  to  de- 
spise all  sensual,  worldly  pleasures,  and  to  practise 
the  spirit  of  self-denial;  to  mortify  yourself,  and  to 
bear  with  patience  all  your  trials  and  tribulations. 
I  wish  to  replenish  your  heart  with  a  true  love  of 
the  cross. — "Depart  as  quickly  as  possible,"  says  the 
terrified  worldling  from  behind  the  door  of  his  heart ; 
"  no  room  for  you  !  "  Oh,  not  to  suffer,  not  to  renounce, 
but  to  enjoy  myself, — this  is  his  watch-word!  He 
burns  with  the  desire  of  spending  his  entire  life  in 
the  enjoyment  of  earthly  delights  and  pleasures.  Suf- 
fering Child,  pass  on  ;  no  room  here  for  you  ! 

The  Infant  Jesus  again  knocks. — Open  your  heart. — 
What  do  you  desire  ? — Allow  me  to  enter.  I  will  teach 
you  to  love  retirement,  to  practise  prayer,  and  thus  to 
live  on  earth  as  if  you  were  already  in  heaven,  eter- 
nally united  with  Me. — No  room  for  you  ;  begone!  re- 
sounds from  the  inn  of  the  human  heart.  It  is  only 
fond  of  intercourse  with  men ;  it  is  full  of  human  re- 
spect, full  of  the  fear  of  man. 

Finally,  the  Infant  Jesus  raps  at  the  door  of  the 
heart. — Open — What  do  you  wish  ? — I  desire  you  to 
assist  Me  in  spreading  My  kingdom  on  earth  ;  to  con- 
vert sinners ;  to  £'am  souls. — Pass  on,  is  the  answer 
from  the  inner  heart.  Why  should  I  trouble  myself 
about  others  ?  I  am  no  priest.  It  makes  very  little 
difference  to  the  lukewarm  Christian  whether  others 


36  FEAST    OF    CHRISTMAS. 

are  treading  the  path  of  salvation ;  he  may  even  go  so 
far  as  to  say  all  religions  are  alike ;  let  each  one  be- 
lieve what  he  chooses.  Poor  heart!  Certainly,  Jesus 
will  leave  you.  But  no,  Infant  Jesus,  do  not  depart ! 
See,  we  open  to  Thee  our  hearts ;  enter,  and  take  up 
Thy  abode  therein,  until  the  gates  of  heaven  open  for 
us,  and  we  make  our  home  with  Thee  amid  the  rejoic- 
ings of  the  blessed  for  ever  and  for  ever !    Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  ST.  STEPHEN, 


FIRST    SERMON. 

**I  am  Jesus  standing  on  the  right  hand  of  God." — Acts  of  the  Apos.  7. 

THE  Church  celebrates  to-day  the  feast  of  St. 
Stephen,  the  proto-martyr,  as  he  is  designated, 
because  he  had  the  happiness  to  be  the  first  one  among 
all  the  disciples  and  apostles  of  Christ  to  seal  his 
faith  with  his  blood.  Therefore  St.  Stephen  is  one  of 
those  privileged  saints  for  whom  every  Catholic  cher- 
ishes a  particular  devotion. 

Yes,  holy  martyr  St.  Stephen,  we  need  but  to  men- 
tion thy  name,  and  every  Christian  feels  encouraged 
to  profess  his  faith  with  thee,  even  at  the  cost  of  his 
blood. 

Though  all  may  not  have  the  happiness  to  shed 
their  blood  for  their  faith,  still  we  must  all  undergo  a 
certain  martyrdom  in  its  defense ;  and  one,  in  many 
cases,  even  more  painful  than  the  martyrdom  of  blood. 
''  All  who  desire  to  live  devoutly  in  Christ  will  suffer 
persecution;  "  thus  St.  Paul  addressed  all  Christians, 
without  exception. 

St,  Stephen,  in  the  midst  of  torments  cried  out:  **/ 

see  Jesus  f'    Let  us  to-day,  before  the  crib  of  our  Lord, 

consider  these  words, 

(37) 


^S  FEAST    OF    ST.    STEPHEN. 

Mary,  queen  of  martyrs,  thou  who  hast  through 
thy  unbloody  martyrdom  gained  the  royal  crown  of 
the  martyrs,  obtain  for  us  the  grace  that,  with  St. 
Stephen,  we  may  be  victorious  in  our  combat  for 
Christ! 

I  speak  in  the  holy  name  'of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


**  If  they  have  persecuted  me,  they  will  also  perse- 
cute you;"  "The  disciple  is  no  better  than  the  mas- 
ter." Thus  Christ  Himself  assures  us.  "  I  am  the  way, 
and  he  who  follows  Me  will  have  life  eternal."  There 
is  no  other  path  to  heaven,  but  the  one  which  Christ 
hath  trodden  before  us. 

But  Christ  has  entered  heaven  by  His  cross  and 
sufferings  ;  so  for  us  there  is  no  way  to  gain  heaven, 
save  that  of  self-denial,  of  mortification,  and  of  the 
cross. 

This  path  Christ  began  to  tread  even  at  His  birth ; 
He  continued  on  it  throughout  His  whole  life ;  until 
at  length,  weighed  down  by  the  cross.  He  reaches 
Golgotha,  there  to  be  stretched  on  the  cross,  and 
bleeding  from  innumerable  wounds  to  breathe  his 
last. 

Even  if  Christ  had  not  said  any  thing  in  regard  to 
the  manner  in  which  we  should  follow  Him,  His  exam- 
ple alone  would  show  us  that  there  is  no  other  way 
to  heaven  but  the  way  of  the  cross  patiently  borne. 

Every  one  who  meditates  on  the  model  of  His  Re- 
deemer,   must  feel  what   St.    Bernard  felt  when  he 


FIRST    SERMON.  39 

said :  **  I  would  be  ashamed  to  be  a  sensual  member 
under  a  head  crowned  with  thorns." 

St.  Bernard  and  all  the  saints  were  sensible  of  the 
meaning  of  these  words  of  Christ:  "Whoever  wishes 
to  imitate  Me,  must  take  up  his  cross  daily  and  follow 
Me."  Mark  well,  He  says  daily.  His  Providence 
provides  daily  crosses  for  all  men,  for  prince  and  for 
peasant. 

And  to  convince  ourselves  that  our  daily  domestic 
trials  and  crosses,  when  borne  for  love  of  Christ,  may 
assume  the  character  of  martyrdom,  and  that  they 
may  at  times  prove  even  more  painful  than  the  martyr- 
dom of  blood,  we  need  only  examine  the  circumstan- 
ces of  real  life  as  it  exists  about  us. 

And,  first  of  all,  I  would  call  your  attention  to  the 
state  of  poverty,  of  anxiety  for  daily  bread,  which 
presses  upon  the  large  majority  of  mankind. 

Many  of  you  have,  perhaps,  experienced  this  your- 
selves. Uncertainty  and  anxiety  about  the  food  and 
clothing  of  the  morrow  have  induced  millions  of  per- 
sons to  leave  Europe,  amid  the  greatest  sacrifices  of 
the  heart,  and  to  people  America. 

And  what  were  these  sacrifices  ?  Separation  from 
loved  ones;  the  hardships  of  the  journey;  privations 
on  landing  on  a  foreign  soil ;  want  of  employment ; 
no  opportunity  even  offered  you  of  providing  for  your- 
self and  your  family.    Oh,  cruel  martyrdom ! 

But  hearken  to  St.  Stephen  as  he  raises  his  eyes  to 
heaven,  and,  filled  with  consolation  and  joy,  exclaims: 
*'  I  behold  Jesus  standing  at  the  right  hand  of  God." 


40  FEAST    OF    ST.   STEPHEN. 

Glance  at  the  Infant  Jesus  at  the  right  hand  of  His 
mother,  wrapt  in  swaddHng  clothes,  and  say  to  your- 
self: Poor  Infant  Jesus,  although  Thou  art  the  Son 
of  God,  yet  Thou  art  lying  in  a  poor  manger.  I  unite 
my  poverty  with  Thine.  God  will  provide  for  me  and 
mine  for  Thy  sake,  because  I  belong  to  Thee.  Do 
this,  look  upon  Jesus,  and  you  will  be  comforted. 

Another  situation  very  trying  to  our  patience,  and 
one  which  may  make  of  our  life  an  unbloody  martyr- 
dom, are  the  torments  which  our  intercourse  with 
others  inflict  upon  us.  It  sometimes  happens  that 
they  who  are  nearest  to  us,  who  live  under  the  same 
roof  with  us,  to  whom  we  have  shown  kindness,  are 
the  very  ones  who  reward  our  love  and  charity  towards 
them,  by  injuring  and  offending  us  in  every  possible 
manner.  This  is  a  cross  often  harder  to  bear  than 
solicitude  for  a  livelihood.  How  many  a  wife,  how 
many  a  mother,  how  many  a  husband,  how  many  a 
father  is,  perhaps,  here  among  us  who  could  testify 
to  this ! 

Woman,  what  is  it  grieves  you  more,  what  pains 
you  even  more  than  the  sufferings  of  poverty?  It  is 
the  conduct  of  your  godless  husband,  and  of  your  dis- 
obedient children.  How  cheerfully  and  willingly  would 
you  live  on  scanty  bread  and  water,  if  you  possessed 
but  a  good.  God-fearing,  sympathizing  husband,  and 
kind,  dutiful  children.  But  remember  St.  Stephen  and 
his  words:  ''I  see  Jesus  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
Father."  Cast  your  eyes  on  the  Infant  Jesus  in  the 
manger.     He  came  into  this  world,  and  with  what  in- 


FIRST    SERMON.  4 1 

difference  and  Ingratitude  did  the  world  receive  Him  ! 
He  is  scornfully  called  the  transgressor  of  the  law — 
a  breaker  of  the  Sabbath  ;  He  is  denominated  the 
friend  of  sinners,  He  who  came  into  this  world  to  de- 
stroy the  kingdom  of  sin;  He  is  called  an  instigator 
and  seducer  of  the  people.  He  calls  Himself  the  out- 
cast, the  last  among  the  children  of  men.  One  of  His 
disciples  betrays  Him,  and  He  is  sold  for  an  ignomin- 
ious price,  and  finally  He  is  crucified  between  two 
murderers,  by  the  same  people  who,  but  a  few  days 
before  had  greeted  Him  with  the  cry  of  Hosannah ! 
Meditate  upon  all  this,^  you  who  are  wounded  by  in- 
gratitude ;  look  at  Jesus,  and  you  will  be  comforted. 

What,  in  the  last  place,  constitutes  our  unbloody 
martyrdom,  is  sickness,  and  finally  death  itself.  In 
comparison  with  painful  and  protracted  disease  the 
tortures  of  martyrdom  are,  as  it  were,  trivial  and  in- 
significant. The  martyrdom  of  blood  very  frequently 
occupies  but  a  few  moments,  whereas  the  unbloody 
martyrdom  often  lasts  for  years  and  years. 

As  far  as  death  is  concerned,  it  is  true  that  all  who 
die  a  martyr's  death,  enter  heaven  immediately.  On 
the  contrary,  the  majority  of  those  who  die  in  con- 
sequence of  sickness,  will,  with  very  few  exceptions, 
have  to  suffer  in  purgatory.  Nevertheless,  if  in,  our 
last  hour,  we  unite  ourselves  wholly  to  the  will  of 
God,  and  desire  to  suffer  and  die  because  God  wills 
it,  such  a  union  with  the  holy  will  of  God  could  prob- 
ably save  us  from  purgatory,  and  procure  our  imme- 
diate entrance  into  heaven. 


42  FEAST    OF    ST.   STEPHEN. 

For  this  reason  St.  John  represented  to  himself  all 
the  elect  bearing  palms  in  their  hands  as  a  symbol  of 
martyrdom.  And  in  truth  all  the  blessed  in  heaven 
gave  evidence  of  their  faith  in  Christ  by  the  sufferings 
they  endured  for  His  sake. 

St.  Stephen,  obtain  for  us  from  God  your  love  of 
Jesus,  so  that,  imitating  Him  by  a  life  of  sacrifice,  we 
may  one  day  gain  the  palm  of  victory  !    Amen ! 


s 


SECOND   SERMON.  43 

SECOND  SERMON. 

"Stephen  was  a  man  full  of  faith,  and  of  tlie  Holy  Ghost." — Acts  6. 

T.  STEPHEN  was  chosen  in  accordance  with  the 


wish  of  the  Apostles,  that,  as  deacon,  he  might  as- 
sist them  in  the  administration  of  their  sacred  charge. 
The  people  did  not  find  themselves  mistaken  in  their 
choice,  for  Holy  Scripture,  gives  St.  Stephen  this  tes- 
timony :  "  Stephen  was  a  man  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

Beloved  in  Christ,  last  year  I  called  your  attention 
to  the  fact,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  Christian  to  be 
a  martyr  for  his  faith  in  Christ.  It  is  true,  not  every 
one  meets  with  an  opportunity  of  sealing  his  faith 
with  his  blood ;  but,  as  I  have  explained  to  you,  there 
is  a  twofold  martyrdom — a  bloody  and  an  unbloody 
martyrdom — and  the  latter  is  often  a  better  proof  than 
the  former,  of  our  virtue,  of  our  love  for  God  and  for 
our  neighbor;  of  our  patience,  self-denial,  and  also  of 
the  complete  union  of  our  will  with  that  of  the  holy 
will  of  God. 

But  what  enables  us  thus  to  suffer,  to  combat,  and 
to  be  victorious,  is  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost  com- 
ing to  us  through  those  channels  which  we  call  the 
seven  gifts.  And  the  sun  which  darts  these  seven 
rays  into  our  souls  is  our  holy  faith. 

But  this,  our  faith,  must  not  be  merely  a  nominal 
faith,  a  mere  acknowledgment  of  the  lips,  but  a  faith 
which  is  proven  by  actions  ;  for  the  just  man,  says  St. 
Paul,  lives  by  faith. 


44  FEAST   OF    ST.    STEPHEN. 

This  was  the  case  with  St.  Stephen ;  his  was  a  lively 
faith,  an  active,  sacrificing,  a  constant,  and  conquering 
faith.     Our  faith  should  be  the  same, 

0  Mary,  queen  of  martyrs,  whom  Elizabeth  called 
Blessed,  because  thou  didst  believe,  obtain  for  us  the 
grace,  that  during  our  lives  we  may  evince  the  same 
strong  faith  as  did  St.  Stephen ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


St.  Stephen  sealed  his  faith  with  his  blood  ;  and  in 
this  he  should  serve  us  as  a  model,  if  God  were  ever 
to  demand  the  same  testimony  of  us.  But,  besides,  he 
evinced  his  active  faith  during  his  whole  life,  and  in 
this  we  should  especially  follow  him.  But,  alas !  what 
a  number  of  those  who  call  themselves  Christians 
might  be  reproached  with  the  words  of  our  Lord: 
*'  Thou  hast  the  name  that  thou  livest,  but  thou  art 
dead  in  spirit!" 

Let  not  the  faith  you  profess  be  a  nominal  faith,  one 
which  exercises  little  or  no  influence  on  your  life. 

How  many  there  are  who,  though  they  hear  Mass 
on  Sunday,  pass  the  rest  of  the  week  in  gross  vice 
and  in  giving  scandal ! 

To  how  many  non-Catholics  has  the  wickedness  of 
their  lives  given  occasion  to  turn  away  from  the 
Church.  The  Church,  of  course,  deplores  and  censures 
the  conduct  of  her  degenerate  children,  but  the  non- 
Catholic  often  does  not  take  time  to  consider  this. 


SECOND    SERMON.  45 

The  faith  of  St.  Stephen  was  a  lively  faith.  This  is 
seen  in  the  sanctity  of  his  Hfe. 

When  the  Apostles  desired  the  people  to  choose 
some  men  who  might  be  ordained  as  co-laborers  in 
their  holy  charge,  the  prominent  virtues  of  St.  Stephen 
determined  them  to  place  his  n^me  before  the  Apos- 
tles; and  he  was  the  first  one  chosen.  ''He  was  a 
man  full  of  the  Holy  Spirit,"  as  Holy  Scripture  tes- 
tifies. 

He  was,  in  the  first  place,  full  of  the  fear  of  the 
Lord — devoid  of  the  fear  of  man ;  his  only  fear  was 
to  offend  God.  He  proved  this  by  the  manner  in 
which  he,  like  the  Apostles,  intrepidly  stood  before 
the  council  of  the  Jews. 

He  was  a  man  of  piety,  of  wisdom,  of  counsel,  of 
strength  ;  full  of  the  knowledge  of  his  faith,  and  full 
of  that  divine  wisdom  which  shone  forth  in  his  sincere 
love  for  God  and  for  his  neighbor. 

How  completely  his  soul  was  replenished  with  these 
graces,  is  proven  by  one  miracle  in  particular,  by 
which  the  Lord  glorified  His  servant  in  the  face  of 
his  enemies.  When  his  enemies  and  judges  were  un- 
able to  withstand  the  power  of  his  argument  in  favor 
of  the  truth  of  his  holy  faith,  his  countenance  became 
radiant,  as  Scripture  tells  us,  and  shone  like  that  of  an 
angel. 

It  was  an  intimation  from  above  that  Stephen,  even 
while  on  this  earth,  lived  wholly  in,  the  spirit  of  the 
prayer  which  Christ  has  taught  us  :  *'  Lord,  Thy  will 
be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.'*    Yes,  St.  Ste- 


46  FEAST    OF    ST.   STEPHEN. 

phen's  was  a  lively  faith,  because  it  exercised  a  holy 
influence  on  his  life. 

But  it  was  also  an  active  faith ;  that  is,  a  faith  which 
actuated  him  to  procure  for  others,  also,  the  blessing 
of  faith, — a  duty  which  is  imposed  upon  every  true 
child  of  the  Churctf  by  this  commandment:  *'  Love 
thy  neighbor  as  thyself." 

If,  therefore,  it  is  our  duty  to  assist  our  neighbor  in 
his  temporal  wants  and  distresses  with  the  same  ea- 
gerness with  which  we  desire  to  help  ourselves,  how 
much  more  urgent  is  this  duty  as  regards  his  spiritual 
wants,  his  eternal  salvation ! 

What  would  it  avail,  even  if  we  had  rescued  our 
neighbor  from  temporal  misery  ;  if  we  had  procured 
for  him  all  the  treasures,  all  the  honors  and  crowns  of 
this  world ;  if  we  had  delivered  him  from  a  painful  ill- 
ness; yes,  if  when  blind,  deaf,  dumb,  and  lame,  we 
had  restored  his  sight,  hearing,  speech,  and  the  use 
of  his  limbs, — what  would  all  this  amount  to  if  we  had 
not  assisted  him  in  matters  pertaining  to  his  salvation  ? 

As  deacon,  St.  Stephen  appeared  to  live  only  for 
the  bodily  welfare  of  the  poor,  to  care  for  all  with 
universal  love,  without  regard  to  nationality  or  to  re- 
lationship ;  but  he  was  also  especially  active,  both  day 
and  night,  in  preaching,  defending,  and  spreading  the 
faith. 

His  zeal  was  so  great  that  it  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  enemies  of  Christ,  and  inflamed  their  wrath 
against  him,  so  that  he  was  the  first  one  whom  they 
persecuted,  and  whose  blood  they  caused  to  flow. 


SECOND    SERMON.  47 

Reflecting  upon  the  example  of  St.  Stephen,  upon 
his  ardent  zeal  in  the  propagation  of  the  Church,  and 
in  saving  souls,  many  a  child  of  the  Church  has  cause 
to  blush.  Many  imagine  they  are  very  good,  and  act 
wisely,  if  they  assist  their  neighbor  in  his  temporal  ne- 
cessities, without  troubling  themselves  in  the  least 
whether  others  are  treading  the  path  to  heaven,  or 
are  on  the  broad  road  which  leads  to  eternal  perdi- 
tion. 

To  spread  the  faith,  to  convert  heretics  and  infidels, — 
this  is  something  which  they  regard  as  out  of  their 
sphere,  as  something  that  belongs  to  priests  only. 

But  this  is  not  the  active  faith  which  animated  St. 
Stephen  and  the  primitive  Christians. 

And  if  we  inquire  into  the  cause  why  so  many  lead 
a  life  of  such  carelessness  in  regard  to  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  others,  we  will  find  it  to  be  their  want  of 
self-denial  and  sacrifice,  their  unwillingness  to  take 
upon  themselves  the  difficulties  and  cares  incumbent 
upon  a  Hfe  of  zeal. 

St.  Stephen  was  self-sacrificing.  He  did  not  shun 
any  labor  or  exertion  in  assisting  his  neighbor,  and 
propagating  the  faith.  He  despised  the  threats  that 
were  directed  against  him ;  yes,  scorned  even  death 
itself. 

Courage  is  wanting  to  so  many  Christians  of  the 
present  day.  They  live  on,  and  let  others  do  the 
same,  even  if  it  be  the  cause  of  the  eternal  ruin  of 
some  souls. 

We  forget  but  too  often  that,  as  faithful  Christians, 


48  FEAST    OF    ST.   STEPHEN. 

we  are  children  of  the  Church  militant ;  that  this  life 
is  a  continual  strife,  and  that  only  he,  who  has  fought 
and  conquered,  will  one  day  be  a  member  of  the 
Church  triumphant. 

*'  I  will  give  the  victor  the  crown,"  says  Christ. 

How  many  there  are  who  justly  reproach  Protest- 
ants for  maintaining  the  pernicious  and  false  doctrine, 
that  faith  alone  is  necessary  to  salvation;  and  yet  im- 
agine their  salvation  assured,  because  they  believe  the 
Catholic  doctrine,  even  if,  in  other  respects,  they  lead 
the  lives  of  the  greatest  sinners. 

St.  Stephen,  who  by  thy  holy  life  hast  proven  thy- 
self so  glorious  a  model  for  the  children  of  the  Apos- 
tolic Church,  to  encourage  them  to  give  testimony  of 
their  faith,  pray  for  us  and  all  the  children  of  the 
Church,  especially  at  the  present  time,  that  we  may 
prize  the  gift  of  our  holy  faith  more  than  all  the  treas- 
ures of  the  world,  and  that  we  may  also  prove  our 
faith  by  a  holy  and  zealous  life,  so  that  with  thee  we 
may  one  day  be  crowned  in  heaven  !    Amen ! 


THIRD    SERMON.  49 


THIRD  SERMON. 

I 
"And  the  saying  was  liked  by  all  the  multitude,  and  they  chose  Stephen." 

— Acts  6. 

IT  is  apparent  from  several  allusions  in  Holy  Script- 
ure, that  the  names  which  Providence  has  assigned 
to  various  persons,  frequently  have  a  reference  to 
their  lives  and  vocations.  Thus  the  name  of  Adam 
and  Eve  were  significant,  and  still  more  so  the  names 
of  Abraham,  John,  and,  above  all,  the  holy  name  of 
Jesus. 

And  as  regards  the  name  of  the  saint  whose  mem- 
ory the  Church  celebrates  to-day,  we  see  to  our  com- 
fort and  encouragement  the  reference  which  it  bears 
to  his  life  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  It  is  a  Greek  name, 
and  signifies  the  crown. 

His  name  God  chose  to  be  at  the  head  of  the  sev- 
enteen millions  of  martyrs  of  the  first  three  centuries  ; — 
yes,  of  all  the  millions  who,  during  these  nineteen 
hundred. years,  have  shed  their  blood  for  Christ  and 
His  Church. 

And  that  we  may  to-day  more  clearly  conceive  what 
a  glorious  crown  now  adorns  St.  Stephen  amo7ig  the 
hosts  of  the  saints,  let  us  reflect  upon  the  twelve  stars 
which,  during  his  life,  ornamented  his  crown  of  virtue, 
and  which  shone  with  brilliancy,  especially  in  the  mar- 
tyr s  death. 

O  Mary,  Queen  of  Martyrs,  who  desirest  nothing  so 


50  FEAST   OF    ST.   STEPHEN. 

much  as  that  thy  children  of  the  Church  militant,  may, 
after  a  virtuous  life,  be  crowned  in  heaven  with  thee, 
obtain  for  us  the  grace  to  battle  and  conquer  with  St. 
Stephen ;  and  so  to  live  and  die,  that  our  crown  of 
recompense  may  also  one  day  shine  in  brightest  splen- 
dor in  the  kingdom  of  the  saints ! 

I  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God. 


*'  I  saw  a  woman  in  heaven,  crowned  with  twelve 
stars,  and  the  dragon  at  her  feet."  Thus  St.  John  the 
Evangelist  beholds  Mary,  the  patroness  of  the  Church, 
the  queen  of  all  the  saints,  and  especially  of  martyrs. 

So  in  the  crown  of  glory  which  now  adorns  St. 
Stephen  in  heaven,  we  have  twelve  stars  of  virtue 
which  shone  even  during  the  life  of  the  saint,  but 
which,  as  I  have  said,  shone  in  fullest  splendor  in  his 
martyrdom. 

The  first  of  these  stars  of  virtue,  was  the  star  of  holy 
faith.  St.  Stephen  was  a  man  full  of  faith ;  this  honor- 
able mention  is  made  of  him  even  in  Scripture,  and  of 
this,  the  choice  that  was  made  of  him  as  deacon  of  the 
Holy  Church,  gave  glorious  testimony.  He  preached 
the  word  of  God  with  such  apostolic  vigor,  with  such 
energy  and  erudition,  that,  as  we  read  in  the  Acts  of 
the  Apostles,  the  enemies  of  the  faith  could  not  with- 
stand the  force  of  his  speech.  The  star  of  faith  sparkled 
with  peculiar  brilliancy  in  his  martyrdom.  Holy  Scrip- 
ture affirms,  that  the  members  of  the  council  stopped 
their  ears,  so  as  not  to  hear  the  speech  of  Stephen, 


THIRD    SERMON.  5 1 

fearing  lest  they  would  be  converted,  and  compelled 
to  acknowledge  Jesus  to  be  the  promised  Messiah. 

The  second  star  which  sparkled  in  the  glorious 
crown  of  St.  Stephen,  was  the  star  of  holy  hope. 

This  star  shone  through  his  whole  life ;  and  yet  St. 
Stephen  had  no  advantages  or  joys  to  expect  in 
this  world.  On  the  contrary,  his  vocation  brought 
with  it  naught  but  trouble,  labor,  persecution,  and 
suffering. 

And  how  much  more  brilliantly  shone  the  light  of 
this  star  in  his  crown  of  martyrdom!  ''I  see,"  he 
exclaimed—''  I  see  the  heavens  open,  and  Jesus  at  the 
right  hand  of  God." 

The  third  star  which  adorned  the  crown  of  St. 
Stephen  in  this  life,  was  his  love  of  God.  It  is  said 
of  this  love:  "  Love  is  strong  as  death,  and  many  wa- 
ters can  not  extinguish  it.  And  should  man  sacrifice 
his  all  for  love,  he  would  consider  this  is  naught." 
St.  Stephen  proved  to  the  letter  this  strength  of  true 
love.  In  order  to  labor  for  the  kingdom  of  God,  and 
to'  follow  his  vocation,  he  was  obliged  to  renounce 
many  things,  and  place  many  a  sacrifice  on  the  altar 
of  God.  But  he  proved  his  love  of  God  especially  by 
his  death,  by  which  he  offered  hirnself  as  a  holocaust 
to  his  Lord. 

The  fourth  star  which  glistened  in  the  crowp  of  St. 
Stephen,  which  shone  gloriously  in  his  death,  and  will 
shine  for  all  eternity  In  his  heavenly  crown,  was  the  star 
of  his  ardent  and  faithful  love  of  Jesus. 

St.  Stephen  devoted  himself  entirely  to  following 


52  FEAST   OF   ST.   STEPHEN. 

Christ,  to  glorifying  His  holy  name,  and  to  spreading 
His  kingdom  on  earth.  He  seemed  to  work  and  care 
for  nothing  else ;  he  thought  of  nothing  else.  Jesus 
was  his  thought,  his  desire,  his  care,  his  consolation, 
and  his  hope.  And  with  what  splendor  did  this  star 
of  love  for  Jesus  shine  forth  in  the  martyr's  agony! 
**I  see  Jesus,"  was  his  joyful  cry.  "Oh!  I  die  will- 
ingly; I  long  to  be  dissolved,  and  be  with  Christ." 
Happy  St.  Stephen ! 

The  fifth  star  which  embellished  his  crown,  was  his 
zeal  in  the  practice  of  all  the  virtues  of  his  state. 

God  himself  gave  testimony  of  his  servant's  holi- 
ness, when  St.  Stephen,  surrounded  by  those  who  had 
pronounced  the  sentence  of  death  against  him  was 
wrapt  in  ecstasy,  and  his  countenance  shone  with  the 
beauty  of  an  angel. 

The  sixth  star  of  virtue  which  adorned  the  crown  of 
St.  Stephen  during  his  life,  and  one  which  shone  with 
such  luster  In  his  martyrdom,  was  heroic  love  for  his 
neighbor.  St.  Stephen  could,  if  he  wished,  have  aban- 
doned the  dangerous  burden  of  his  apostolic  duties  dur- 
ing those  days  of  persecution.  But  he  remained  bravely 
at  his  post.  His  love  of  Christ  and  his  neighbor  would 
not  allow  him  to  leave  it.  He  was  willing  to  endure 
all  manner  of  persecution  for  love  of  others;  yes,  to 
offer  life  Itself  for  them.' 

And  this  he  did. 

The  seventh  star  which  glitters  In  the  crown  of  St. 
Stephen,  is  his  fidelity  in  the  performance  of  the  du- 
ties of  his  vocation.     He  was  sensitive  of  the  opposi- 


THIRD    SERMON.  53 

tlon  of  his  enemies ;  he  perceived  their  growing  ha- 
tred; and  still  he  went  on  bravely,  and  without  the 
least  fear  of  man ;  he  preached  Jesus  Crucified,  ready 
to  bear  the  rigors  of  persecution. 

Glorious  star  !  Singular  star  of  virtue !  And  yet  it 
is  the  one  which  should  shine  with  exceptional  brill- 
iancy in  the  life  of  all  who  are  chosen  to  preach  the 
word  of  God,  and  to  teach  the  way  of  salvation  to  the 
children  of  men. 

The  eighth  star  sparkling  in  the  crown  of  St. 
Stephen's  virtues,  is  the  love  of  his  enemies.  How 
willing  he  was  to  pardon  his  enemies  and  persecu- 
tors, all  the  wrongs  which  malice  and  hatred  of  Chris- 
tianity had  inflicted  upon  him,  is  proven  by  the  pray- 
ers which  he  uttered  for  his  enemies — "Lord,"  he 
cried,  *'do  not  account  it  to  them  as  sin." 

The  ninth  star  which  illumined  the  crown  of  St. 
Stephen,  was  his  tranquillity  of  soul,  his  meekness,  his 
humility.  How  gloriously  these  virtues  shone  through 
all  his  sufferings  and  his  martyrdom!  His  enemies, 
surrounding  him,  rage  and  gnash  their  teeth ;  but  he 
remains  unmoved  in  his  submission  to  the  holy  will  of 
God.  He  knows  full  well  that  his  enemies,  however 
furious,  are  unable  to  injure  one  hair  of  his  head  with- 
out the  will  of  God. 

The  tenth  star  which  sparkles  in  the  crown  of  St. 
Stephen's  virtues,  and  which  shone  radiantly  in  his 
martyrdom,  is  his  union  with  God  in  prayer.  Although 
the  storm  of  persecution  raged  about  him,  yet  his 
spirit   remained   calm   and  wrapt   in   devotion.     He 


54  FEAST    OF    ST.  STEPHEN. 

prostrated  himself,  and  prayed  to  God ;  he  prayed  for 
the  salvation  of  his  enemies. 

The  eleventh  star  which  adds  its  luster  to  the  crown 
of  St.  Stephen,  is  his  intrepidity  in  the  face  of  his  ene- 
mies, judges,  and  murderers.  No  trace  of  cowardice, 
of  the  fear  of  man,  is  discernible  in  the  life  and  death 
of  St.  Stephen. 

The  twelfth  star,  is  his  fidelity  to  the  last. 
*.He  sacrifices  his  life  in  testimony  to  his  faith. 

Thus  closed  the  career  of  St.  Stephen ;  and  every 
Christian  heart,  whilst  reflecting  upon  his  glorious  mar- 
tyrdom, will  feel  comforted  and  strengthened  in  the 
resolution,  to  follow  his  example  by  the  practice  of 
all  those  virtues  whose  merit  shine  so  brilliantly  in  his 
crown  of  victory. 

Let  us  strive  during  our  whole  life  to  practise  these 
virtues  with  the  same  zeal  as  did  St.  Stephen,  and 
they  will  glow  as  bright  stars  in  the  crown  of  recom- 
pense, with  which  our  Lord  will  one  day  reward  us  in 
heaven !    Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  ST.  JOHN. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

"Peter  saw  the  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved." — John  21. 

THE  saints  exercise  a  various  influence  on  the 
hearts  of  the  faithful,  according  to  their  various 
character,  and  the  various  vocations  to  which  the  Lord 
hath  called  them.  There  are  saints,  whose  lives  ex- 
cite our  amazement  and  admiration  ;  as,  for  instance, 
St.  Simon  the  Stylite,  who,  for  a  number  of  years,  re- 
mained in  a  standing  position  on  a  pillar ;  or  St.  Peter 
of  Alcantara,  whose  extreme  penance  filled  even  St. 
Teresa  with  astonishment.  In  the  case  of  the  saint 
whose  memory  the  Church  celebrates  to-day,  we  feel 
our  hearts  drawn  towards  him.  It  is  he  of  whom  It  is 
written,  that  he  was  the  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved, 
and  who  ranks  high  among  the  elect  on  account  of  his 
great  love  for  his  neighbor, — St.  John  the  Evangelist. 

I  will  take  advantage  of  this  hour  tp  consider  with 
you,  why  St.  John  called  himself  the  disciple  whom 
Jesus  loved. 

If  we  understand  this,  we  will  honor  St.  John  by  a 
still  greater  devotion,  and  we  will  follow  his  virtuous 
example  zuith  still  greater  fidelity. 

O   Mary,  thou  who   hast   so  frequently  blest   thy 

(55) 


56  FEAST    OF    ST.   JOHN. 

foster-son  St.  John,  and  who  hast  guided  him  in  his 
sublime  destiny  with  maternal  tenderness  and  care, 
show  thyself  also  a  mother  to  us  ! 

I  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


In  order  to  judge  of  the  intensity  of  a  person's 
love,  we  must  consider  the  favors  which  he  confers 
upon  the  person  loved.  Thus,  in  order  to  understand 
how  ardently  Jesus  loved  His  mother,  we  need  but 
consider  with  what  prerogatives  He  has  gifted  her  in 
preference  to  the  angels  and  saints,  and  all  other 
creatures.    So  with  St.  John. 

Which  are  the  prerogatives  and  privileges  by  which 
Christ  has  distinguished  St.  John  from  all  other  men, 
even  the  Apostles,  and  which  serve  as  proofs  of  the 
particular  love  of  our  Lord  for  His  disciple  ? 

First,  in  respect  to  the  person  of  St.  John,  he  was 
fortunate  in  sharing  with  the  Apostles  and  other  dis- 
ciples of  our  Lord  the  greatest  favors,  in  preference 
to  so  many  others. 

St.  John  belonged  to  the  chosen  people,  and  ac- 
cording to  the  flesh,  was  descended  from  the  family 
of  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful.  He  enjoyed 
the  happiness  of  living  in  the  same  country,  and  at 
the  same  time  in  which  Christ  was  born.  He  had  the 
supreme  pleasure  of  seeing  Him  face  to  face.  But 
he  was  to  receive  still  greater  privileges.  He  was  one 
of  the  twelve  whom  Jesus  chose  from  among  the 
multitude  of  men  to  live  in  His  immediate  vicinity ;  to 


FIRST   SERMON.  57 

be  His  companion.  Thus  he  enjoyed  the  advantage 
of  having  the  example  of  Christ  daily  before  him,  of 
listening  to  every  word  He  preached  ;  of  witnessing 
all  the  miracles  which  He  wrought.  What  a  privi- 
lege !  What  a  grace !  It  is  true,  the  other  Apostles 
shared  these  favors,  and  therefore  Jesus  called  them 
all  blessed.  But  St.  John  was  yet  to  receive  still 
greater  favous,  and  more  especial  graces. 

It  is  a  pious  saying,  that  St.  John,  whilst  yet  a 
child,  was  so  fortunate  as  to  have  been  an  associate 
of  the  Infant  Jesus,  a  favor  which  no  other  Apostle 
ever  enjoyed.  St.  John  was  one  of  the  three  to  whom 
our  Lord  revealed  Himself  at  His  transfiguration  on 
Mt.  Thabor.  The  other  two  were  St.  Peter  and  St. 
James.  These  three,  among  all  the  Apostles,  were 
nearest  to  our  Lord,  and  He  spoke  more  frequently 
and  more  confidingly  to  them  than  to  the  other  disci- 
ples and  Apostles.  Still,  St.  John  enjoyed  the  most 
marked  distinctions  in  preference  to  them,  and  these, 
without  doubt,  will  be  resplendent  in  heaven  for  all 
eternity. 

The  Gospel  mentions  three  particular  favors  which 
were  conferred  upon  him  at  the  time  when  Jesus  ac- 
complished the  work  of  our  redemption ;  namely,  at 
the  last  Supper,  on  Calvary,  and  after  his  ascension 
in  the  island  of  Patmos. 

At  the  last  Supper  Christ  instituted  the  Blessed 
Sacrament, — the  sacrifice  of  the  New  Testament. 
Christ,  surrounded  by  His  Apostles,  celebrated  the 
first  Holy  Mass! 


58  FEAST    OF    ST.   JOHN. 

Here  Jesus  is  seated,  and  on  his  bosom  rests  St. 
John.  Who  can  form  an  idea  of  the  many  graces 
which  poured  into  the  soul  of  St.  John  on  that  even- 
ing ?  What  an  influence  must  not  the  recollection  of 
this  privilege  have  exercised  on  the  entire  life  of 
the  Apostle  !  Peter  and  the  other  Apostles  became 
alarmed,  and  in  a  terrified  manner  put  the  question  to 
Jesus:  "Is  it  I?"  But  St.  John,  all  imbued  with  the 
love  of  Christ,  and  confident  that  he  was  innocent  of 
the  guilt  of  treason,  simply  asked :    Who  is  it  ? 

What  devotion  must  have  filled  his  soul,  when  aft- 
erwards, as  Apostle  and  Priest  of  the  Lord,  he  of- 
fered the  sacrifice  of  Mass,  and  thought  of  his  prox- 
imity to  Jesus  at  the  last  Supper!  Who  can  conceive 
with  what  tender  feelings  of  gratitude  and  affection, 
St.  John  must,  in  his  after  life,  have  received  Jesus  in 
the  Holy  Communion  ? 

What  soul,  that  really  loves  Jesus,  does  not  envy 
St.  John  the  privilege  which  our  Saviour  bestowed 
upon  him? 

The  second  place  in  which  we  behold  St.  John  dis- 
tinguished as  the  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved,  is  on 
Calvary, 

Who  among  us  does  not  wish  to  have  enjoyed  the 
privilege  of  seeing  Jesus  on  the  cross,  to  have  been 
near  Him  when  He  accomplished  the  work  of  re- 
demption? 

Of  all  the  Apostles,  St.  John  was  the  only  one  who 
had  this  unspeakable  happiness. 

But   the  greatest   favor  which  Jesus   granted   St. 


FIRST    SERMON.  '  59 

John,  as  a  token  of  His  love  towards  him,  was  His 
word  spoken  from  the  cross:  "Woman,  behold  thy 
son!  Son,  behold  thy  mother!"  Jesus  committed  St. 
John  to  His  mother's  care,  and  charged  her  to  extend 
to  him  a  mother's  love.  Oh,  happy  St.  John!  What 
a  fountain  of  grace  and  merit  opens  itself  to  you  by 
this  testament  of  Christ  on  the  cross ! 

It  is  accepted  as  an  established  principle,  that  if 
God  grant  a  person  a  vocation.  He  will  also  give  him 
the  graces  corresponding  to  this  vocation.  The  ex- 
tent of  the  love  which  Jesus  cherished  for  His  mother, 
is  the  measure  of  grace  which  He  imparted  to  St. 
John,  that  he  might  perform  the  duties  of  a  child 
towards  such  a  mother. 

If  one  person  intrust  another  with  some  very  im- 
portant business,  to  which  he  himself  can  not  attend, 
he  pays  him  well,  and  he  would  rather  give  him  a  lit- 
tle more  than  less,  so  that  he  may  feel  as;sured  that  the 
work  is  done. 

And,  moreover,  what  a  pledge  did  Jesus  give  the 
disciple  of  His  love !  He  was  to  have  the  example  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  constantly  before  him ;  she,  who 
is  the  mirror  of  justice,  and  whose  duty,  as  mother, 
was  to  see  that  St.  John,  her  foster-son,  fulfilled  the 
duties  of  his  vocation  as  perfectly  as  possible. 

Where  Is  there  a  pious  mother  who  does  not  feel 
this  obligation  ?  Maternal  love  prompts  her  to  take 
all  possible  care  that  her  children  be  not  lost. 

Now,  if  it  Is  a  pious  belief  that  no  one,  for  whose 
salvation  Mary  has  once  offered  her  prayers,  will  be 


6o  FEAST   OF    ST.   JOHN. 

lost,  must  not  St.  John  have  been  assured  of  his  sal- 
vation, since  Mary,  as  his  mother,  was  obliged  to  pray 
for  him,  to  save  him.  St.  Paul  may  well  exclaim  :  "  I 
chastise  my  body,  so  that  after  having  preached  to 
others,  I  may  not  myself  be  lost."  St.  John,  as  foster- 
son  of  Mary,  was  infallibly  certain  of  his  salvation. 

Even  after  His  ascension,  Christ  still  continued 
His  intercourse  with  St.  John  by  divine  revelations, 
and  disclosed  to  him  the  mysteries  of  heaven. 

Verily,  St.  John,  thou  art  the  disciple  whom  Jesus 
loved.  But  Jesus  loves  us  also.  Hence  we  may  look 
for  great  graces,  and  should  prepare  ourselves  to  re- 
ceive them  with  fruit !    Amen ! 


SECOND    SERMON.  6 1 

SECOND  SERMON. 

"This  is  the  disciple  who  leaned  on  Christ's  breast  at  Supper. "^John  21. 

EVERY  child,  that  has  received  some  instruction, 
will  immediately  answer  to  the  question:  ''Who 
is  the  disciple  of  whom  it  is  written :  This  is  th6  dis- 
ciple whom  Jesus  loved?"  It  is  St.  John  the  Evan- 
gelist. He  is  deserving  of  this  name,  as  is  proven  by 
the  numerous  favors  by  which  Christ  distinguished 
him  from  all  the  Apostles. 

Last  year  we  saw  that  we,  too,  as  children  of  the 
Church,  enjoy  so  many  and  such  marked  graces — 
which  divine  Providence  through  Christ  has  conferred 
upon  us  in  preference  to  so  many  others — that  it  may 
well  be  said  of  us,  that  Jesus  loves  us. 

But  when  we  meditate  upon  the  life  of  St.  John,  we 
may  justly  exclaim:  Behold  the  disciple  who  loved 
Jesus ;  his  whole  life  g*ave  testimony  of  his  love.  And 
for  us  it  will  be  of  the  greatest  importance  to  imitate 
him  in  this  respect.  For,  what  would  it  have  availed 
St.  John,  if  Christ  had  granted  him  such  great  privi- 
leges, and  treated  him  with  such  marked  preference, 
if  he  had  not  reciprocated  his  Saviour's  love,  and  had 
not  co-operated  with  the  graces  received,  and  thereby 
sanctified  his  life  ! 

Judas,  tooj  received  marvelous  and  numerous  graces, 
in  preference  to  so  many  others ;  but  on  this  account 
his  downfall  was  the  more  hideous,  nay  terrible,  his 
ruin  more  sad. 


62  FEAST    OF    ST.    JOHN. 

Judas  wasted  the  graces  which  Christ  effused  into 
his  heart ;  John  made  use  oj  them. 

Let  us  to-day  reflect  upon  this,  and  let  it  serve  as  a 
warning  and  encouragement  for  us. 

0  Mary,  who  hast  loved  St.  John  with  a  mother's 
love;  obtain  for  us  the  true  love  of  Jesus,  and  the  grace 
to  prove  our  love  towards  Him,  by  a  reciprocation  of 
His  sacred  love! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


Behold  the  disciple  who  loved  Jesus!  I  say  John 
was  worthy  of  this  encomium.  And  why?  We  shall 
find  our  answer  in  considering  the  characteristic  marks 
by  which  true  love  manifests  itself. 

Love  is  an  emotion  of  the  heart,  which,  like  all  other 
sensations,  can  not  be  described.  If  a  person  has  not 
experienced  this  feeling,  no  one  will  be  able  to  explain 
it  to  him ;  and  if  he  has  experienced  it,  he  will  need 
no  further  explanation. 

Every  child  has  affection  for  its  mother,  and  the 
feelings  which  an  affectionate  child  entertains,  it  will 
manifest  by  its  exterior  demeanor,  although  it  can  not, 
as  yet,  give  utterance  to  it. 

Do  you  love  Jesus?  Ask  of  your  heart  when  you 
mention  His  holy  name.  We  are  told  that  St.  Au- 
gustine was  wont  to  say:  "I  relish  nothing  in  this 
world  that  does  not  come  in  connection  with  the  holy 
name  of  Jesus."    And  St.  Bernard,  after  pronouncing 


SECOND    SERMON.  6^ 

this  holy  name,  felt  as  if  honey  had  touched  his  lips. 
If  this  be  true  of  the  saints,  in  consideration  of  what 
Christ  had  done  for  them,  and  in  remembrance  of  the 
tokens  of  love  which  they  had  received  from  Him, 
what  must  have  been  the  emotions  of  St.  John,  the 
disciple  of  love,  when  remembering  Jesus  with  whom 
he  had  associated,  on  whose  bosom  he  reclined  at  the 
institution  of  the  sacrament  of  love  !  He  was  so  in- 
timate with  Jesus,  and  received  such  numerous  proofs 
of  Christ's  love  for  him. 

Child  of  the  Church,  what  does  your  heart  feel 
when  you  pronounce  the  sweet  name  of  Jesus — when 
you  think  of  Him?  By  this,  judge  of  the  sincerity  of 
your  love  towards  Him. 

The  second  mark  of  sincere  love,  is  the  care  with 
which  we  strive  not  to  offe^id  the  one  beloved.  How 
far  removed  from  every  stain  of  sin  was  St.  John ! 

There  is  no  communion  between  Belial  and  Christ, 
between  sin  and  Christ. 

Of  course,  even  holy  souls  are  not  certain  of  never 
committing  an  imperfection.  But  we  might  piously 
believe  that,  after  St.  John  was  called  by  Christ,  no 
stain  of  sin  defiled  his  soul. 

O  man  !  redeemed  by  Christ,  does  your  con- 
science testify  that  you  never  defile  it  by  any  venial 
sin?     . 

Which  is  the  third  characteristic  of  true  love  ? 

It  is  the  desire  to  do  what  we  know  will  be  agree- 
able to  the  loved  one,  and  what  will  be  a  source  of 
pleasure  to  him.    Hence  the  great  desire  of  St.  Te- 


64  FEAST    OF    ST.  JOHN. 

resa  to  accomplish  all  things  in  the  most  perfect  man- 
ner possible,  thereby  to  render  herself  more  pleasing 
to  Jesus.  "  But  this,"  says  St.  Paul,  ''this  is  the  holy 
will  of  God — your  sanctification  ;  "  and  to  attain  it  we 
must  follow  the  example  of  Christ,  and  imitate  Him, 
in  accordance  with  the  assurance  of  St.  Paul:  ''For 
whom  He  foreknew,  He  also  predestinated  to  be 
made  conformable  to  the  image  of  His  Son " 

"Learn  of  me."  This  exhortation  of  the  Sacred 
Heart  is  addressed  to  all,  who,  as  children  of  the 
Church,  know  Jesus,  and  call  upon  His  holy  name, 
and  profess  their  belief  in  Him.  "  Be  my  followers,  as 
I  have  been  a  follower  of  Christ,"  thus  St.  Paul  might 
well  affirm ;  and  with  equal  justice  might  St.  John 
have  thus  expressed  himself, — he  who  beheld  Jesus 
with  his  cKvn  eyes,  and  who  had  His  divine  example 
constantly  before  him,  and  for  a  still  longer  period 
beheld  the  reflection  of  the  same  in  the  virtuous  life 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

How  like  His  divine  Master  must  St.  John  have 
become,  and  how  gloriously  he  testified  his  love  for 
Christ  during  his  whole  life ! 

Redeemed  mortal,  what  does  your  conscience  say 
to  this  ?  Is  this  your  desire,  to  sanctify  your  lif^  for 
the  love  of  Jesus  ?  Is  this  the  earnest  wish  of  your 
heart?  Question  your  life.  If  so,  then  indeed  your 
love  for  Christ  is  sincere. 

How  is  true  love  proven?  I  reply:  By  the  care  we 
take  not  only  to  please  the  one  loved,  to  agree  to  all 
his  wishes,  to  assist  him,  to  protect  his  goods  and 


SECOND    SERMON.  65 

property,  and  aid  not  only  him,  but  also  those  who  are 
related  to  him  by  ties  of  love,  friendship,  or  kindred. 

I  make  the  application  and  say  :  If  our  love  for 
Jesus  is  genuine,  it  must  manifest  itself  by  the  care 
we  take  to  extend  His  kingdom  on  earth,  and  by  the 
interest  we  take  in  the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare 
of  those,  for  whom  Christ  came  into  this  world,  and 
for  whom  He  offered  His  life. 

It  is  the  fire  of  holy  zeal  which  must  burn  within  us, 
an  eagerness  to  spread  the  faith  all  over  the  world, 
to  practise  the  corporal  and  spiritual  works  of  mercy 
in  behalf  of  our  neighbor. 

John  was  an  Apostle,  and  how  zealously  and  faith- 
fully he  fulfilled  the  duties  of  his  vocation ! 

We  are  told  that,  when  well  nigh  one  hundred 
years  of  age  he  continued  to  address  the  people,  and 
continually  exhorted  them  to  mutual  love. 

But  the  fervor  and  fidelity  of  our  love  proves  itself 
best  by  our  willingness  to  make  any  sacrifice,  even 
that  of  life  itself,  for  the  one  loved.  It  was  in  this 
manner  that  St.  John  proved  his  love  for  Christ ;  for, 
during  the  reign  of  the  tyrant  Domitian,  he  was  cast 
into  a  caldron  of  seething  oil,  and  he  would  have 
thus  sacrificed  his  life,  if  he  had  not  been  preserved 
by  a  miracle. . 

Although  we  have  not  the  opportunity  of  testifying 
our  love  for  Christ  by  a  bloody  martyrdom,  still  we 
have  suf^cient  occasion  to  manifest  this  love  for  our 
Redeemer  by  patience  and  resignation  to  the  will  of 
God. 


66  FEAST   OF    ST.  JOHN. 

The  caldron  filled  with  seething  oil,  admonishes 
us  not  to  let  pass  those  precious  opportunities  that 
are  offered  us,  of  suffering  with  St.  John  an  unbloody 
martyrdom,  and  thus  showing  our  love  for  Jesus.  This 
caldron  of  seething  oil  can  be  for  you  poverty,  ca- 
lumny, and  the  injuries  which  are  heaped  upon  you, 
the  diseases  which  you  may  have  to  bear.  By  per- 
severing and  conquering,  your  love  for  Jesus  will  be 
manifest. 

But  the  surest  pledge  of  our  love  for  Christ,  will  be 
the  supreme  veneration  we  pay  to  Him  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament;  here  He  is  really  present  as  God  and 
man. 

Who  will  have  felt  this  more  than  St.  John  ?  What 
recollections  fraught  with  heavenly  consolation  must 
have  filled  his  soul  during  his  whole  life,  and  with 
what  ardor  was  he  inflamed  when  he  offered  the  Holy 
Sacrifice  of  Mass,  or  when  he  bowed  down  before  the 
Blessed  Sacrament ! 

Devotion  to  our  Lord  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament  is 
the  best  means  of  ascertaining  the  degree  of  our  love 
for  Jesus.  Let  us  herein  follow  the  example  of  St. 
John, — of  the  disciple  who  loved  Jesus  !    Amen! 


THIRD   SERMON.  67 


THIRD  SERMON. 

"My  little  children,  let  us  not  love  in  word,  nor  in  tongue,  but  in  deed, 
and  in  truth." — i  John  iii,  i8. 

ST.  JOHN,  the  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved ;  St.  John, 
the  disciple  who  loved  Jesus.  In  both  relations 
St.  John  is  to  us  an  object  of  admiration,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  our  model  for  imitation.  But  there  is  a 
third  trait  in  his  character  which  shines  with  peculiar 
brilliancy :  St.  John  is  also  the  Apostle  of  brotherly- 
love. 

Read  his  letters,  and  compare  them  with  those  of 
the  other  Apostles,  and  you  will  be  convinced  that  St. 
John  merited  the  honorable  name  :  Disciple  of  love. 
These  epistles  are  an  outpouring  of  love  towards  his 
neighbor,  consequent  upon  his  great  love  of  God. 
They  are  replete  with  a  longing  to  call  forth  and 
strengthen  a  similar  love  in  the  hearts  of  all  the 
faithful.  : 

If  we  inquire  still  further  into  the  motives  which, 
in  the  heart  of  St.  John,  produced,  strengthened  and 
animated  this  wonderful  love,  we  will  perceive  that 
the  cause  is  this: 

SL  John  regarded  his  neighbor  in  the  light  of  faith. 
Let  us  do  likewise,  and  we  will  feel  encouraged  to  love 
our  neighbor  as  ourselves,  and  our  lives  will  prove  that 
we  are  well  disposed  towards  all. 

O  Mary,  thou  Eve  of  the  New  Testament,  obtain 


68  FEAST    OF    ST.    JOHN. 

for  US  that  love  of  our  neighbor  which  inflamed  the 
heart  of  St.  John,  that  we  may  mutually  edify  and 
sanctify  each  other ! 

I  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


*'  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself."  This  is 
the  second  commandment,  and  it  is  like  to  the  first: 
**Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God,  with  thy  whole 
heart,  with  thy  whole  strength,  and  with  thy  whole 
soul."  Verily,  these  are  forcible  words,  and  how  few 
really  understand  and  reflect  upon  their  full  significa- 
tion ;  and  still  smaller  is  the  number  of  those  who  are 
governed  by  these  two  precepts  as  was  St.  John  the 
Evangelist. 

This  Apostle,  who  entertained  such  love  for  Jesus, 
fulfilled  this  great  commandment  of  love  of  God  and 
of  his  neighbor  in  a  most  perfect  manner;  because, 
in  the  person  of  Christ,  he  loved  both  God  and  man 
with  unbounded  love,  and  because,  as  I  have  said,  he 
regarded  every  man  in  the  light  of  faith. 

Why  do  we  not  practise  this  love  of  our  neighbor 
in  as  perfect  a  manner?  I  reply:  We  are  deficient 
in  that  liveliness  of  faith  and  that  love  for  Jesus  which 
animated  St.  John. 

How  indifferently  a  person  will  treat  his  neighbor 
as  long  as  he  regards  him  in  a  mere  natural  light ! 
What  do  we  hear  more  frequently  than  the  remark: 
What  have  I  to  do  with  that  person  ?  We  speak  thus, 
because  man,  simply  as  a  fellow-being,  seems  to  have 


THIRD    SERMON.  69 

no  particular  claim  to  our  sympathy.  He  is  a  human 
being,  but  still — what  is  he  to  me?  Oh !  a  great  deal. 
Regard  your  neighbor  with  the  eyes  of  faith,  and  then 
how  venerable,  how  attractive,  and  how  worthy  of  your 
sympathy  will  he  appear  to  you  !  Then  you  will  feel, 
how  St.  Chrysostom  had  reason  to  exclaim  in  aston- 
ishment: *'How,  you  say:  What  is  that  man  to  me? 
Why,  he  is  a  man,  is  not  this  sufficient  to  rouse  your 
interest  in  him  ?" 

I  will  give  a  practical  illustration  :  You  come  to  a 
railroad  depot.  Behold  !  a  poor  family  just  arrived, 
with  a  sick  infant  but  a  few  months  old  ;  it  is  placed 
on  the  hard  wooden  floor !  Poor  mortal,  how  wretched, 
how  miserable  you  are !  you  will  say,  if  you  regard  it 
simply  with  the  eyes  of  your  body. 

But  open  the  eyes  of  your  spirit  to  the  light  of  faith, 
and  you  will  say :  O  child,  in  this  body  covered  with 
disease  lives  a  soul  created  after  the  image  of  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost!  God  has  thought  of 
you  from  all  eternity,  and  has  given  you  a  being  im- 
measurably more  glorious  than  all  the  shining  worlds 
of  the  firmament ;  yes,  more  glorious  than  all  that  may 
be  beyond  this  world  of  stars,  with  the  exception  of 
the  angel  worlds ! 

You  are  a  human  being.  The  Son  of  God  has 
adopted  your  nature,  and  has  exalted  it  above  all  the 
choirs  of  angels,  and  you  are  soon  to  share  His  glory 
for  all  eternity. 

If  already  baptized,  you  are  in  a  state  of  sanctify- 
ing grace,  which  transforms  you  into  a  child  of  God, 


70  FEAST    OF    ST.    JOHN. 

and  makes  it  possible  for  you  to  gain  merits  for  life 
eternal.  A  throne  is  awaiting  you  in  the  heavenly 
kingdom  ;  and  how  many  gems  of  merit  you  can  secure 
for  your  celestial  crown,  if  on  earth  you  accomplish 
the  holy  will  of  God,  and  for  love  of  Him  faithfully 
discharge  the  duties  of  your  vocation  !  When  once 
you  are  admitted  to  the  communion  of  saints,  you 
may  address  all  the  angels  as  your  associates  ;  all 
the  saints  as  your  brothers  and  sisters ;  Mary  as 
your  mother;  and  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  as  your 
brother.  Christian,  do  you  perceive  what  powerful 
motives  urge  us  to  assist  every  person  with  active 
works  of  charity  ? 

What,  in  the  next  place,  incites  us  to  assist  others 
to  practise  works  of  mercy,  is  the  merit  of  such 
works  in  the  sight  of  God.  ''  Blessed  are  the  merciful ; 
for  they  shall  obtain  mercy,"  Christ  says ;  and,  again  : 
''What  ye  do  to  the  least  of  mine,  ye  have  done  to 
me." 

And  if  this  holds  good  in  regard  to  the  corporal 
works  of  mercy,  how  much  more  so  in  respect  to  the 
spiritual,  which  benefit  the  sovd,  and  of  which  St. 
Chrysostom  justly  remarks:  "A  single  work  of  this 
kind  is  worth  more  in  the  sight  of  God  than  all 
the  corporal  works  taken  together,  even  if  we  should 
provide  for  all  the  sick  and  needy  of  the  whole 
world." 

Thus  thought  St.  John ;  and  if  with  him,  we  regard 
all  that  we  can  do  for  the  welfare  of  our  neighbor,  in 
the  light  of  faith,  we  will  strive  to  make  use  of  every 


THIRD    SERMON.  7 1 

Opportunity  that  presents  itself,  to  perform  works  of 
mercy,  and  we  will,  moreover,  seek  opportunities  of 
doing  good. 

But  what  enhances  the  merit  of  these  works  of 
charity,  is  the  assurance  of  Christ,  with  which  you  are 
all  familiar:  "Whatever  ye  do  to  the  least  of  mine, 
you  have  done  to  me." 

Man,  alas !  looks  upon  his  neighbor  merely  with 
the  eyes  of  his  body;  he  regards  only  his  social  posi- 
tion; and  therefore  we  find  so  great  want  of  zeal  for 
the  performance  of  charitable  tleeds.  And,  further- 
more, we  are  but  too  apt  to  forget  that,  by  assisting 
others,  we  are  doing  more  for  ourselves  than  for  our 
neighbor. 

A  fervent  soul,  like  St.  John's,  that  truly  loves  Jesus, 
is  desirous  of  becoming  more  conformable  to  Him,  and 
is  anxious  to  increase  its  measure  of  grace,  and  to 
become  more  holy  and  more  pleasing  to  Him.  But  it 
is  exactly  these  services  which  we  render  our  neigh- 
bor for  the  love  of  Jesus,  who  has  shed  His  precious 
blood  for  each  and  every  one  of  us,  which  will  induce 
Him,  the  more  readily  and  liberally  to  impart  those 
graces  with  which  He  favored  the  saints.  What  an  in- 
ducement for  a  soul,  imbued  with  a  sincere  love  of 
Jesus,  to  zealously  perform  active  works  of  mercy ! 

The  Blessed  Virgin,  too,  will  willingly  ask  graces 
for  us  from  Christ  if  we  assist  her  children.  In  like 
manner,  also,  will  those  parents,  relatives  and  friends 
who  are  already  in  heaven,  make  intercession  for  us, 
in  order  that  we  may  receive  the  graces  necessary  for 


72  FEAST    OF    ST.    JOHN. 

the  sanctification  of  our  lives,  if  we  endeavor  to  assist 
those  who  are  near  and  dear  to  them. 

To  this  we  may  add  the  intercession  of  those  very 
persons  whom  we  have  saved,  and  who  may  already 
have  entered  upon  eternity. 

This  love  of  our  neighbor  is  a  pledge  of  our  own 
salvatiofi,  in  consequence  of  the  assurance  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  through  St.  James. 

Let  us  often  reflect  upon  these  motives  with  the 
liveliness  of  faith  which  animated  St.  John,  and  en- 
deavor to  imitate  him  in  his  love  for  God  and  for  his 
neighbor  ! — Amen  ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  INNOCENTS. 


FIRST  SERMON. 


"But  Herod  sending,  killed  all  the  male  children,  from  two  years  old   and 
under."— Matt.  2. 

WHENEVER  we  celebrate  the  feast  of  the  Holy 
Innocents,  our  hearts  are  filled  with  compas- 
sion, but,  at  the  same  time,  also  with  joy  and  consola- 
tion. 

We  have  compassion  for  these  innocent  children, 
who  shed  their  blood  to  satisfy  the  cruelty,  vanity, 
and  pride  of  a  tyrant ; — but  taking  into  consideration 
that  they  had  not  the  remotest  idea  of  the  death  they 
were  to  suffer,  that,  without  any  struggle,  or  troubles 
of  conscience,  they  were  torn  from  the  arms  of  their 
mothers,  to  hasten  to  the  arms  of  God,  where  a  par- 
ticular degree  of  glory  awaited  them, — in  considera- 
tion of  this,  we  feel  comforted  and  happy,  and  can  not 
but  congratulate  these  little  innocents,  the  first  of  the 
martyrs  for  Christ's  sake. 

The  remembrance  of  the  Holy  Innocents,  has  a 
most  practical  influence  on  the  lives  of  parents  espe- 
cially, admonishing  them  to  strive  earnestly,  that,  even 
if  their  children  have  not  the  happiness  of  sealing  the 

truth  of  their  faith  with  the   effusion  of  their  blood, 

(73) 


74  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    INNOCENTS. 

they  may,  nevertheless,  give  testimony  of  it  by  the 
innocence  of  their  Hves. 

Parents,  I  will  point  out  to  you,  to-day,  what  you, 
071  your  part,  are  obliged  to  do,  in  order  that  your 
children  may  preserve  their  innocence. 

O  Mary,  thou  model  for  all  dutiful  mothers,  obtain 
for  those  parents  here  present  the  grace,  to  know  and 
fulfill  their  duties  in  this  respect ! 

,  I  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


What  renders  the  sight  of  newly-baptized  children 
attractive,  is  their  innocence. 

Happy  child !  every  Christian  will  exclaim,  when  he 
beholds  an  infant  just  baptized.  You  are  now  entirely 
pure,  free  from  every  stain  of  sin,  and  an  object  of 
God's  divine  pleasure.  It  is  especially  the  mother  of 
the  child  who  will  feel  this  ;  and  if  she  is  a  pious  mother, 
she  will  express  the  wish:  Oh,  if  you  would  but  al- 
ways remain  so  ! 

But,  alas  !  how  seldom  is  this  wish  realized  !  Alas ! 
many,  yes,  I  may  say,  most  children  lose  their  inno- 
cence at  a  very  early  age,  and  become  victims  of  sin. 
To  them  the  words  of  St.  Augustine  may  be  applied : 
"  So  small  a  boy — so  small  a  girl, — and  already  so 
great  a  sinner  !" 

Though  it  may  happen  that,  notwithstanding  the 
most  careful  training,  some  children  go  astray,  still 
this   does    not    relieve    parents    from    the   obligation 


FIRST    SERMON.  75 

of  taking  such  care  and  precautions  as  aid  their  chil- 
dren to  pass  their  youth  in  innocence. 

I  will  point  out  to  you  particularly  in  what  this  care 
consists. 

In  the  first  place,  a  mother,  as  soon  as  she  is  aware 
that  a  child  is  given  her,  should  often  raise  her  heart 
devoutly  to  God  during  the  day,  and  pray  for  the 
welfare  of  her  child.  We  read  in  the  lives  of  the 
saints,  that,  at  times,  God,  in  a  most  wonderful  man- 
ner, would  make  known  to  mothers  the  particular 
degree  of  sanctity  to  which  their  children  were  chosen. 
Think  of  St.  Anna,  the  mother  of  Samuel ;  of  St. 
Elizabeth,  the  mother  of  St.  John  the  Baptist ;  of  the 
mother  of  St.  Dominic;  the  mother  of  St. 'Stanislaus! 

When  the  child  is  born,  and  grows  up,  the  mother's 
care  should  be  directed  to  accustoming  it  to  raise 
its  heart  to  God,  as  soon  as  it  is  able  ;  and  this  can 
be  done  at  a  much  earlier  age  than  many  a  mother 
imagines. 

Parents  should  faithfully  discharge  their  religious 
duties  ;  say  their  morning  and  night  prayers  with  their 
children,  who  will  thus,  at  an  early  age,  acquire  a  love 
for  prayer. 

If  children  are  not  induced  in  their  early  youth,  by 
the  good  example  and  exhortations  of  parents,  to  say 
their  prayers ;  if  they  are  not  instructed  to  begin  and 
end  the  day  with  devotional  exercises,  they  will  most 
assuredly  be  exposed  to  the  danger  of  neglecting 
prayer  altogether,  and  to  commit  numerous  sins  in 
consequence. 

6 


^6  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    INNOCENTS. 

As  soon  as  the  child  advances  in  years,  it  should  be 
thoroughly  instructed  in  matters  of  faith,  and  its  heart 
must  be  disposed  to  think,  above  all  things,  of  the  one 
important -affair  of  salvation.  It  should  be  reminded 
that  all  the  things  of  this  world  are  but  vanity  in 
themselves,  if  they  are  not  employed  as  means  to 
serve  God. 

Parents,  teach  your  children  to  say,  when  allured 
by  the  world,  to  say  with  St.  Aloysius :  What  will  this 
avail  me  for  eternity  ? 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  inordinate  desire  to  have, 
to  possess,  and  to  enjoy  the  goods  and  pleasures  of 
this  world,  is  the  cause  of  the  carelessness  of  youth 
in  matters  of  their  salvation  ;  to  this  it  is  owing  that 
they  so  freely  indulge  their  sensual  desires, — sin, — and 
'  go  to  ruin. 

Parents  are  entirely  too  anxious  to  increase  their 
temporal  possessions.  No  wonder,  then,  that  they  do 
not  instill  into  the  hearts  of  their  children  a  disdain 
for  the  world,  and  do  not  sufficiently  cultivate  and 
nourish  in  them  a  desire  for  heavenly  things.  The 
spirit  of  the  world  takes  possession  of  their  children's 
hearts,  and  but  too  often  draws  them  into  the  abyss 
of  sin.    , 

And'  as  parents  should  be  thus  intent  upon  direct- 
ing the  children's  attention  to  approaching  eternity, 
in  like  manner  should  they  strive  to  impress  them 
with  a  horror  for  sin. 

Would  to  God  that  all  mothers  would  imitate  the 
example  of  St.   Blanche,  who  was  wont  thus  to  ad- 


FIRST    SERMON.  "]*] 

dress  her  son  Louis  :  "Dear  child,  I  would  a  thousand 
times  rather  behold  you  dead  at  my  feet,  than  in  a 
state  of  mortal  sin  !" 

But  to  guard  their  children  from  mortal  sin,  mothers 
should  teach  them  to  walk  in  the  presence  of  God,  to 
honor  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  their  guardian  angels ; 
and,  moreover,  take  precautions  that  other  children  do 
not  lead  theirs  into  temptation  and  cause  them  to 
lose  their  innocence.  Therefore,  even  as  regards 
sisters  and  brothers,  parents  should  use  the  utmost 
care  that  they  may  not  prove  an  occasion  of  sin  to 
each   other. 

And  still  more  destructive  is  the  bad  example  of 
parents.  If  parents  desire  that  their  children  retain 
purity  of  heart,  then  their  owfi  life  must  be  a  mirror 
and  a  model,  so  that  even  after  their  death  the  re- 
membrance of  the  virtuous  example  of  the  father  and 
the  mother,  will  cause  their  children  to  tremble  at  the 
very  thought  of  committing  a  sin. 

Therefore,  parents  should  make  it  a  point  to  be 
faithful  in  reciting  their  morning  and  night  prayers,  to 
attend  divine  service  regularly,  to  frequently  receive 
Holy  Communion,  thereby  setting  a  good  example, 
which  the  children  will  feel  encouraged  to  imitate. 

As  long  as  children  love  to  pray,  to  attend  divine 
service,  and  to  receive  Holy  Communion  frequently, 
parents  may  hope  for  the  best.  But  woe  to  those 
parents  who  begin  and  end  the  day  without  prayer, 
who  do  not  fulfill  their  religious  duties,  and  neglect 
to   receive   the    Holy  Sacraments!    Children  of  such 


yS  FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  INNOCENTS. 

parents  are  in  great  danger  of  losing  their  innocence ; 
they  are  scandalized  by  the  conduct  of  their  own  par- 
ents. It  is  especially  on  Sundays  and  holy  days  that 
they  should  give  their  children  this  example  of  piety. 

When  children,  following  the  example  of  their  par- 
ents, neglect  the  service  of  the  Lord,  and  take  delight 
in  worldly  enjoyments,  all  hope  for  the  preservation 
of  innocence  may  be  abandoned. 

A  most  dangerous  rock,  arising  but  too  often  in  the 
turbulent  stream  of  life,  is  the  perusing  of  worldly 
books  and  trashy  novels,  and  the  society  of  worldly- 
minded  people. 

If  parents  really  wish  that  their  children  may  serve 
God  with  a  pure  conscience,  they  must  take  care 
that  their  children  never  remain  alone  with  persons 
of  the  opposite  sex,  nor  frequent  nightly  amusements, 
and  thus  voluntarily  remain  in  the  proximate  occasion 
of  sin.  If  this  precaution  is  not  taken,  children  will 
lose  their  innocence,  and  the  responsibility  will  rest 
heavily  on  the  conscience  of  the  parents. 

Parents,  you  who  are  listening  to  me,  examine  your- 
selves carefully  in  regard  to  each  of  these  points,  and 
make  a  firm  resolution  to  act  in  the  future  as  I  have 
advised  you.  If  you  do  so  your  children  will  not  only 
be  a  source  of  joy  to  you  in  this  life,  but  they  will  also 
be  eternally  grateful  to  you  in  heaven ! — Amen  ! 


SECOND    SERMON.     •  79 


SECOND    SERMON. 

"  But  Herod  was  exceedingly  angry,  and  killed  all  male-children  that  were 
in  Bethlehem,  and  in  all  the  borders  thereof." — Matt.  2. 

WHEREVER  the  Gospel  is  preached  to-day,  the 
world  is  astounded,  and  abominates  the  cruelty 
of  Herod,  and  deplores  the  crime  of  infanticide,  of 
which  he  was  guilty. 

Taking  this  in  a  moral  sense,  we  find  that  there  are 
child-murderers  not  only  in  Bethlehem  and  its  vicin- 
ity, but  they  can  be  found  in  all  places.  And  the 
worst  of  it  is  that  children  themselves  are  but  too  fre- 
quently the  cause  of  their  own  ruin,  and  become  mar- 
tyrs of  Satan,  whose  image  we  see  reflected  in  Herod. 

The  death  of  the  Holy  Innocents  was  unmerited, 
but  is  salutary  for  them.  On  the  other  hand,  how 
many  children  cause  the  death  of  their  soul  by  com- 
mitting sins,  and,  in  many  cases,  are  themselves  re- 
sponsible for  their  perdition. 

Christ  said  at  one  time:  ''  Suffer  little  children  to 
come  unto  me;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God." 
How  few  there  are  who  keep  unsullied  the  innocence 
of  early  childhood ! 

Let  us,  therefore^  consider  to-day  which  are  the 
sins  most  frequently  committed  by  the  youth  of  our 
day,  and  which  are  hurryifig  them  into  the  abyss  of 
ruin. 

These  reflections  may,  at  the  same  time,  serve  as  a 
warning  to  parents  and  educators,  who  may  learn,  to 


8o         FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  INNOCENTS. 

do  what  they  must  be  especially  attentive  to,  that  the 
rising  generation  may  not  suffer  shipwreck  in  regard 
to  salvation. 

0  Mary,  mother  of  all  children  whom  thou  desirest 
to  save,  show  thyself  a  mother  especially  to  the  chil- 
dren of  this  congregation ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


It  is  a  well-established  principle,  founded  on  ex- 
perience, that  he  who  secures  the  youth,  will  secure 
the  future  for  the  accomplishment  of  his  designs. 

The  enemies  of  our  Church  and  religion,  on  their 
part,  feel  this  but  too  well,  and  therefore  their  endeav- 
ors to  attract  the  youth  to  themselves,  and  to  infuse 
into  their  hearts  the  poison  of  their  pernicious  views 
and  principles  ;  causing  them  to  become  unmindful  of 
God  and  His  Holy  Church,  of  heaven  and  approach- 
ing eternity ;  to  live  only  for  this  world,  to  strivQ  to  ac- 
cumulate as  much  wealth  as  possible,  and  to  enjoy 
life  to  its  utmost. 

Alas !  when  we  examine  the  conduct  of  the  youth 
of  the  present  day,  we  can  not  but  notice  that  the 
world  is  becoming  more  and  more  indifferent  in  mat- 
ters of  religion,  and,  therefore,  our  enemies  have  but 
too  much  reason  to  hope  for  the  success  of  their  proj- 
ects. 

Let  us  consider  some  classes  of  children. 

In  the  first  place  we  have  indevout  children.    They 


SECOND    SERMON.  8 1 

do  not  say  their  morning  and  evening  prayers,  nor 
grace  before  and  after  meals ;  they  do  not  hear  Mass 
devoutly,  nor  prepare  themselves  well  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  Holy  Sacraments.  In  short,  they  are 
neither  too  willing  nor'  faithful  in  the  performance  of 
the  various  devotional  exercises  of  the  Church. 

Such  children,  in  most  cases,  grow  up  without  ever 
praying.  They  tell  you,  father  and  mother  do  not  say 
their  morning  and  night  prayers;  how  then  can  you 
expect  us  to  do  so?  They  are  often  ignorant  of  the 
most  ordinary  prayers  ;  they  absent  themselves  from 
divine  service  on  Sundays  and  holy  days;  and  either 
run  in  the  streets  or  frequent  ale-houses,  instead  of 
going  to  Church.  And  how  do  they  conduct  them- 
selves when  they  do  enter  a  Church?  They  stand  as 
if  they  were  in  some  public  place,  do  not  fold  their 
hands  in  prayer,  do  not  kneel  at  the  elevation  or  ben- 
ediction ;  they  converse  with  others,  and  sometimes 
leave  the  church  in  the  midst  of  service. 

These  children  do  not  attend  Vespers  nor  evening 
devotions,  but  profane  the  Sunday  by  visits  to  saloons, 
or  by  boisterous  entertainments,  which  they  prolong 
far  into  the  night.  And  if  you  inquire :  What  do  par- 
ents say  to  all  this  ?  you  will  often  receive  the  answer. 
Nothing ! 

Such  negligent  parents  do  not  care  to  watch  over 
the  conduct  of  their  children  ;  they  say  that  their 
children  are  already  grown  up,  and  that  nothing  can 
be  done  in  the  matter.  Somethincr  could  be  done,  if 
parents  had   maintained  their  authority,  and  caused 


I 

82  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    INNOCENTS. 

their  children  to  respect  the  same  from  their  early 
youth, — if  the  tree  had  been  bent  whilst  it  was  young. 

Again,  we  have  the  class  of  the  uninstructed,  which 
comprises  the  large  majority  of  children.  St.  Paul 
says:  ''The  just  man  liveth  by  faith."  It  is  incredi- 
ble what  little  religious  instruction  our  youth  receive ; 
they  are  not  at  all  competent  to  justify  themselves  when 
scoffers  of  religion:  attack  any  article  of  their  faith. 
Take,  for  example,  the  dogma  of  the  Infallibility  of  the 
Pope.  I  ask :  Is  there  any  young  person  in  this  con- 
gregation, who  is  able  to  give  the  real  meaning  of 
this  dogma,  and  to  prove  its  truth  by  Holy  Scripture 
and  tradition  as  far  as  necessary,  and  who  is  able  to 
refute  the  most  ordinary  objections  of  Infidels  and 
Protestants  ?  And  yet,  every  Christian  should  be  able 
to  do  this  ;  and  not  only  as  regards  this  dogma,  but 
for  the  doctrines  of  the  Church.  If  he  had  but  once 
thoroughly  studied  a  hand-book  of  Catholic  doctrine, 
he  would  be  qualified  to  defend  his  faith. 

But  parents  are  content  if  their  children  receive 
sufficient  instruction  to  enable  them  to  make  their  first 
Communion,  and  nothing  more.  And  what  is  the  con- 
sequence? Children  leave  home,  come  in  contact 
with  all  sorts  of  people,  listen  to  their  railleries  against 
the  doctrines  of  the  Catholic  Church,  begin  to  waver, 
and  finally  their  faith  suffers  shipwreck. 

The  following  class  Is  that  of  the  disobedient : 

What  a  great  lack  of  obedience  do  we  find  every- 
where !  In  this  is  sown  the  seed  of  many  sins.  Par- 
ents warn,  but  the  child  hears  not ;  they  punish,  and 


SECOND    SERMON.  83 

Still  the  child  does  not  obey ;  he  is  away  from  home 
all  day,  and  his  father  and  mother  are  ignorant  of  his 
whereabouts.  As  he  advances  in  years,  his  obstinacy 
and  disobedience  gather  strength.  Children  should 
remember  that  their  parents  are  the  representatives 
of  God,  and  that  disobedience  to  their  parents  may 
lead  to  a  general  neglect  of  their  duties  to  God. 

We  have  finally  a  class  of  children,  who  are  already 
habitual  sinners.  My  God !  how  numerous  are  the 
vices  to  which  children  are  addicted  even  in  their 
early  youth !  What  a  multitude  of  children  from 
twelve  to  fourteen  years  of  age,  are  already  aged  in 
sin  !  How  many  of  these  in  later  life  lose  their  faith, 
and  become  obstinate  in  sin,  so  that  all  the  entreaties 
and  exhortations  of  parents  then  prove  fruitless  ! 

Would  that  all  parents  and  educators  reflected  se- 
riously upon  what  I  have  said  to-day  !  Let  them  bend 
the  tree  while  it  is  young;  that  it  may  not  grow  up  to 
be  a  tree  of  evil,  which  may  endanger  even  their  own 
salvation !    Amen ! 


84  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    INNOCENTS. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"  He  arose,  and  took  the  child  and  His  mother,  and  retired  into  Egypt." — 
Matt.  2. 

ST.  JOSEPH,  being  admonished  In  sleep  by  an  an- 
gel, took  the  child  and  His  mother,  and  retired 
with  them  Into  Egypt.  He  provided  for  the  temporal 
welfare  of  the  Infant  Jesus,  and  the  divine  Infant  took 
charge  of  the  spiritual  welfare  of  St.  Joseph.  St.  Jo- 
seph had  but  to  regard  the  Divine  Child,  in  order  to 
learn  how  to  serve  God  perfectly. 

The  most  important  duty  of  parents  is,  not  so  much 
to  labor  for  the  bodily  and  temporal  welfare  of  the 
children  whom  God  has  given  them — nature  will 
prompt  them  to  do  this ;  for  are  they  not  of  their  flesh 
and  blood  ? — but  their  chief  care  must  bp  to  bring  up 
their  children  for  heaven. 

It  is  their  duty  to  try  to  bring  up  their  children 
practical  Catholics. 

Pious  parents  generally  cherlsK  the  hope  of  living 
to  see  their  children  walk  in  the  way  of  God,  but  how 
many  and  how  bitter  are  their  disappointments  ! 

It  may  happen  at  times,  that  notwithstanding  the 
best  training,  children  will  deviate  from  the  path  of 
virtue,  and  go  to  ruin ;  but  when  children  degenerate 
it  is  very  often  owing  to  defective  instruction. 

Therefore,  I  will  to-day,  at  the  crib  of  fesus,  direct 
the  attention  of  parents  to  the  leading  principles  that 
should  guide  them  in  the  education  of  their  childrefi. 


THIRD    SERMON.  85 

0  Mary,  thou  who  art  so  anxious  for  the  salvation 
of  all  men,  obtain  for  all  the  parents  of  this  congre- 
gation such  knowledge,  that  the  education  of  their 
children  may  bear  fruits  for  life  eternal ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God. 


Parents,  I  said  I  would  point  out  to  you  to-day,  at 
the  crib  of  Christ,  what  true  education  demands. 

He  who  desires  to  bring  up  children  for  God,  must, 
in  the  first  place,  be  himself  a  man  full  of  the  fear  of 
the  Lord.  Thus  only  will  he  be  enabled  to  teach  the 
child  the  doctrines  of  faith  in  an  effective  manner. 

He  must  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  con- 
stantly bear  in  mind,  and  perfectly  understand,  what 
an  important  affair  man's  salvation  is,  taking  to  heart 
the  warning  of  Christ :  ''What  will  it  profit  a  man  to 
gain  the  whole  world,  if  he  suffers  loss  of  his  own 
soul?" 

The  instructor  must  be  thoroughly  imbued  with  this 
consciousness  of  faith,  which  must  manifest  itself  in  all 
his  actions,  so  ^hat  the  child  will  at  once  perceive  that 
his  father  and  mother  are  anxious  to  be  pious,  faith- 
ful Christians,  and  that  they  are  solicitous  about  their 
own  eternal  welfare. 

But  with  so  many  parents  this  is  unfortunately  not 
the  case  ;  they  profess  the  Catholic  faith  with  their 
lips,  but  are  themselves  full  of  worldly-mindedness. 
The  result  is,  that  the  child  grows  up,  and  is  a  great 


86         FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  INNOCENTS. 

deal  more  anxious  about  worldly  matters  than  about 
heaven  and  approaching  eternity. 

It  is  necessary  that  faith  and  the  promises  of  salva- 
tion be  implanted  as  early  as  possible  in  the  hearts  of 
children,  and  be  constantly  nourished  and  reanimated ; 
this  is  the  first  principle  of  success  in  the  education 
of  children. 

It  is  a  matter  of  course,  that  where  faith  is  held  in 
such  high  esteem,  great  care  will  also  be  taken  that 
the  children  avail  themselves  of  the  sources  of  grace 
which  God  has  imparted  to  His  Church,  in  order  to 
lead  a  fervent  life  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of 
faith.  These  means  of  grace  are:  prayer,  spiritual 
reading,  instruction  in  the  truths  of  religion,  the  use 
of  the  Holy  Sacraments. 

A  knowledge  of  human  nature  is  also  an  important 
means  of  bringing  an  education  to  a  prosperous  is- 
sue. Great  care  must  be  taken  to  discover  in  the 
heart  of  the  child  those  perverse  tendencies  which 
might  prevent  the  seed  of  faith  from  bearing  good 
fruit. 

These  inordinate  tendencies  are,  as  a  rule,  those 
which  oppose  the  virtues  which  Christ,  at  His  birth, 
as  man,  taught  and  recommended  to  the  children  of 
men. 

The  Infant  Jesus  humbled  himself,  lying  in  the 
lowly  manger.  The  basis  of  evil  in  the  human  heart 
is  pride — the  beginning  of  all  sin,  as  Holy  Scripture 
affirms.  The  germ  of  pride  is  hidden  within  the  heart 
of  the  child,  and  manifests  itself  at  first  by  obstinacy 


THIRD    SERMON.  Sy 

and  disobedience.  Parents  must,  therefore,  above  all 
things,  be  determined  not  to  allow  the  child  to  indulge 
in  or  yield  to  obstinacy. 

It  must  be  conquered  by  punishment,  and  by  mak- 
ing use  of  the  rod  whilst  the  child  is  quite  young, 
that  he  may  learn  to  obey,  and  to  do  exactly  what  is 
required  of  him.  But  for  this  very  reason,  parents 
should  demand  only  that  which  is  just,  so  as  not  to 
give  the  child  occasion  to  think  that  the  parents  are 
requiring  something  unjust  or  impossible,  and  that 
they  will  finally  be  compelled  to  yield  to  his  wishes. 

The  sister  virtue  of  humility  is  obedience.  The  In- 
fant Jesus  rests  within  the  crib,  just  as  the  Blessed 
Virgin  has  placed  Him  therein  ;  and  during  thirty  years 
of  His  sojourn  at  Nazareth,  He  was  submissive  to 
His  blessed  mother,  and  to  his  foster-father  St.  Jo- 
seph. What  a  powerful  inducement  for  parents  to 
insist  upon  humble  submission  on  the  part  of  their 
children,  so  that  their  training  may  be  a  truly  Chris- 
tian one. 

It  is  owing  to  their  deficiency  in  this  respect,  that 
parents  lose  control  over  their  children. 

Furthermore,  the  Infant  Jesus  is  wrapped  in  poor 
swaddling  clothes.  Pride  and  vanity  delight  in  gor- 
geous dress.  Parents  must  take  care  that  the  demon 
of  vanity  and  love  of  dress,  do  not  find  secret  access 
to  the  heart  of  the  child.  They  should  endeavor,  how- 
ever, to  accustom  their  children  to  viodesty  and  clean- 
liness of  dress. 

Another  evil  propensity,  whose  germ  is  concealed  in 


88  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    INNOCENTS. 

the  child's  heart,  Is  the  desire  to  have,  to  retain,  and 
to  enjoy. 

Little  children  want  every  thing  they  see ;  they  ex- 
tend their  tiny  hand  to  grasp  the  object,  and  bring  it 
to  their  mouth  to  taste  and  enjoy  it.  In  course  of 
time,  this  desire  degenerates  into  covetousness ;  into 
love  of  money,  and  the  goods  of  this  world ;  into  ava- 
rice, and  a  craving  for  all  sensual  enjoyment  possible. 

Parents  should  therefore  begin  early  to  teach  their 
children  to  be  satisfied  with  what  is  given  them ;  not 
to  envy  other  children ;  to  share  willingly  with  others, 
especially  with  their  own  sisters  and  brothers.  They 
should  also  see  that  their  children  do  not  eat  to  ex- 
cess, nor  indulge  too  freely  in  sweetmeats,  and  that, 
they  be  satisfied  with  the  ordinary  household  fare. 

The  Divine  Child  lies  in  the  manger,  a  lonely  Infant. 
The  care  taken  for  the  proper  education  of  children 
often  bears  little  fruit,  because  of  bad  companions, 
Hence,  parents  should  extend  their  care  and  attention 
beyond  the  mere  hours  when  their  children  are  united 
with  them  in  the  family  circle.  They  must  teach 
their  children  to  govern  that  longing  for  certain 
amusements,  which  bring  them  into  the  company  of 
corrupt  associates. 

We  behold  the  Infant  Jesus  as  man,  in  the  person 
of  the  Son  of  God,  lying  in  the  crib,  in  a  state  of  un- 
interrupted prayer. 

To  make  the  child's  education  productive  of  good 
fruit,  he  must  be  taught  to  gather  strength  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  his  duties,  from  the  sources  of  grace, 


THIRD    SERMON.  89 

of  which  the  chief  one  is  prayer.  How  zealously, 
therefore,  should  parents  labor  to  instill  a  love  for 
prayer  into  the  hearts  of  their  little  ones,  so  that  they 
may  love  to  say  their  prayers  without  being  forced ; 
to  hear  Mass  regularly,  and  to  receive  Holy  Commun- 
ion frequently. 

In  our  days  parents  must  be  careful  to  keep  within 
due  bounds  a  passion  for  reading,  which  their  children 
may  manifest.  Is  it  not  singular,  that  even  very  young 
children  find  such  great  pleasure  in  reading? 

And  as  the  reading  of  good  books  can  do  an 
amount  of  good,  so  also  the  reading  of  bad,  worldly 
books,  can  cause  a  great  deal  of  harm.  How  very 
anxious,  therefore,  should  parents  be  to  furnish  their 
children  with  good  reading  matter. 

Christ  lies  in  the  manger  as  the  Redeemer  of  the 
world,  to  reconcile  men  with  God,  and  with  one 
another.  Impatience,  anger,  and  hatred  sever  the 
bond  of  love.  Children  usually  sin  by  anger,  quarrel- 
ing, and  striking  each  other. 

In  this  respect  parents  must  instruct  their  children 
more  by  their  example  than  by  words ;  by  practising 
patience  and  meekness ;  by  avoiding  violence  and  a 
certain  unchristian  harshness,  even  when  punishing 
their  children. 

Parents,  educate  your  children  in  this  manner,  and 
pray  for  them  always,  and  they  will  not  only  be  a  joy 
to  you,  but  you  will  lay  up  most  precious  merits  for 
yourselves  in  the  eternal  kingdom!    Amen! 


FEAST  OF  NEW  YEAR'S  EVE. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

"Son,  observe  the  time." — Eccl.  4. 

A  FEW  hours  more,  and  the  year  i8 —  will  have 
passed  into  eternity. 

The  main  thought  which  should  occupy  us  at  the 
close  of  the  parting  year  is  the  answer  to  the  ques- 
tion :  Has  this  year  proved  to  be  a  meritorious  one 
for  me,  in  a  Christian  point  of  view  ?  and  what  bene- 
fits for  the  coming  year  can  I  derive  from  the  expe- 
riences of  this  year? 

I  will  reply  to  these  questions  in  a  general  way  this 
evening,  and  each  one  will  be  able  to  answer  any  point 
which  may  touch  him  personally. 

The  leading  thoughts  to  which  I  link  my  remarks 
are  the  few  hours  that  yet  remain  of  the  parting  year. 
The  stroke  of  midnight  will  soon  proclaim  its  de- 
parture, and  the  year  i8 —  will  be  numbered  with  the 
things  of  the  past. 

/  compare  these  few  hours  to  the  characteristic 
periods  zvhich  form  the  general  outline  of  our  lives. 
They  are :  The  hour  of  work,  the  hour  of  suffering, 
the  hour  of  joy,  the  hour  -of  prayer,  the  hour  of  temp- 
tation. 

(90) 


FIRST    SERMON.  ,  9 1 

The  manner  in  which  our  hearts  have  been  disposed, 
the  conduct  we  have  manifested  in  these  periods,  will 
decide  whether  the  parting  year  has  been  for  us  one 
of  gain  or  loss  for  approaching  eternity. 

I  beg  of  you  to  meditate  seriously  on  what  1  am 
going  to  say. 

0  Mary,  mother,  bless  thy  children,  and  the  words 
addressed  to  them  to-night ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


The  hour  of  work. — Adam  sinned,  and  the  judg- 
ment of  condemnation  was  pronounced  against  him 
and  all  mankind:  ''In  the  sweat  of  thy  brow,  thou 
shalt  eat  thy  bread."  Rich  or  poor,  king  or  beggar, 
high  or  low,  every  child  of  man  must  succumb  to  this 
divine  decree. 

Woe  to  him  who  fancies  that,  because  ample  pro- 
vision is'  made  for  his  maintenance,  he  can  pass  his 
life  in  indolence  !  He  is  in  the  greatest  danger  of 
perishing ;  for  an  old  proverb  says  :  *'  Idleness  is  the 
source  of  all  vice,"  and  it  is  confirmed  by  experi- 
ence. 

So,  then,  we  must  work!  Those,  especially,  are 
aware  of  this  fact  who  are  obliged  to  labor  inces- 
santly to  provide  for  themselves  and  their  family. 

You  have  worked  hard  during  this  year.  Have  you 
labored  hard  to  fulfill  the  duties  of  your  state  ?  Have 
you  worked  for  love  of  God,  to  accomplish  His  holy 


92  <         FEAST    OF    NEW   YEAR'S    EVE, 

V 

will,  not  so  much  in  consideration  of  a  temporal  re- 
muneration as  for  the  greater  honor  of  God? 

Have  you  in  your  work  united  your  intention  with 
that  of  the  Sacred  Heart  ?  Rejoice,  if  you  have  done 
so;  the  parting  year  will  gather  these  works,  as  good 
wheat,  into  the  storehouse  of  heaven ;  and  you  have 
become  richer  for  eternity.  Return  thanks  to  God  to- 
day, and  make  the  resolution  to  renew  this  good  in- 
tention daily  and  hourly,  and  with  still  greater  ardor 
during  the  course  of  the  coming  year. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  you  have  been  more  busily 
engaged  this  year  than  ever  before,  if  you  have  re- 
ceived a  better  salary  than  in  former  years,  if  you 
have  gathered  gold  and  diamonds, — and  still  have 
neglected  your  religious  duties,  and  thought  but  of 
the  world  and  temporal  gain ; — then  you  have  become 
poorer  for  eternity.  If  you  have,  perhaps,  had  the  mis- 
fortune, by  neglecting  prayer  and  the  Holy  Sacraments, 
of  committing  a  mortal  sin, — then  treasures  have  you 
lost  for  heaven  during  this  year !  Repent,  form  better 
resolutions  for  the  coming  year,  and  thank  God  that 
He  still  gives  you  life. 

Secondly,  I  wish  to  direct  your  attention  to  the 
hour  of  suffering.  This  is,  as  it  were,  linked  to  the 
first.  For  us  mortals,  suffering  as  well  as  toil  is  a 
consequence  of  the  sin  of  our  first  parents.  Job  ex- 
claims: ''Man  born  of  a  woman,  living  for  a  short 
time,  is  filled  with  many  miseries." 

Were  you  obliged  to  bear  heavy  burdens  during 
the  past   year?    were  you   afflicted    with  sufferings. 


FIRST    SERMON.  93 

caused  by  sickness  or  the  malevolence  of  men  ?  Be 
not  surprised.  For  us  fallen  mortals  there  is  no  other 
way  to  heaven,  save  the  path  which  our  Lord  and 
Redeemer  has  trodden  before  us,  namely :  The  way 
of  the  holy  cross ! 

We  have,  therefore,  no  reason  to  be  dejected;  for 
we  have  the  promise  of  Christ,  given  by  the  mouth 
of  the  Apostle:  "  If  we  have  suffered  with  Him,  we 
shall  also  be  glorified  with  Him." 

The  question  is  not  whether  you  have  had  a  heavy 
cross  to  bear,  but  whether  you  have  borne  it  in  the 
right  spirit  for  the  love  of  Christ.  All  depends  on  this. 
We  must  not  look  upon  sufferings  in  the  light  in  which 
the  heathens  regarded  them,  but  in  the  light  of  faith ; 
we  must  not  consider  them  a  misfortune,  but  accept 
them  as  a  means  of  proving  the  greatness  of  our  love 
and  fidelity  to  God. 

Secondly,  whatever  suffering  Almighty  God  sends 
us,  we  must  accept  as  coming  from  Him,  and  not  from 
the  hand  of  man,  and  we  must  bear  our  cross  in  union 
with  the  intention  and  bufferings  of  our  Saviour. 

If  you  have  done  so  in  the  past  year,  I  heartily  con- 
gratulate you ;  for  the  departing  year  carries  brilliant 
gems  into  eternity,  to  adorn  your  heavenly  crown. 
Rejoice,  and  be  grateful  to  God. 

But  if  you  have  regarded  the  tribulations  with  which 
you  have  been  visited,  with  feelings  of  aversion ;  if 
you  have  not  once  thought  of  God  who  permitted 
these  thing's,  but  only  looked  to  the  persons  who  may 
have  caused  you  the  trouble ;  if  you  have  harbored 


94  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR  S    EVfi. 

feelings  of  hatred,  and,  perchance,  even  murmured 
against  God,  oh  repent !  for  you  have  borne  the  cross 
with  the  thief  on  the  left  hand  of  Christ,  without  hav- 
ing gained  the  least  merit  for  life  eternal ;  yes,  you 
have  perhaps  by  desire  for  revenge  or  by  blasphemy 
run  the  risk  of  eternal  damnation  !  But  now  form  bet- 
ter resolutions  for  the  coming  year,  and,  resigning 
yourself  to  the  holy  will  of  God,  welcome  the  trials  and 
sufferings  that  may  be  your  portion  for  the  coming 
year. 

The  third  hour  to  which  I  refer  is  that  oi  joy.  Even 
in  this  vale  of  tears,  man  has  hours  of  joy  which  he 
can  make  meritorious  for  the  kingdom  of  eternal  joy. 
But  this  requires  several  conditions. 

What  have  been  your  joys  during  the  past  year  ? 
Have  they  been  lawful  or  unlawful  ?  The  Apostle  him- 
self tells  us  to  rejoice,  but  he  says  that  we  must  re- 
joice in  the  Lord.  Go  through  the  year  and  see  how 
much  of  your  pleasure  was  such  as  the  Apostle  would 
have  it  How  many  of  your  evenings  after  a  day  of 
work  did  you  spend  in  pleasure  that  was  without  sin  ? 
How  many  of  your  evening  pleasure  parties  can  you 
look  back  to  as  wholly  free  from  sin, — from  grievous 
sin  ? 

Great  dangers  arise  from  an  inordinate  love  of  en- 
joyment. 

Alas  !  thou  parting  year  !  Who  knows  how  many 
a  young  girl  has  during  thy  course  lost  her  innocence 
at  doubtful  entertainments !  How  many  a  young  man, 
by  committing  mortal  sin,  has  this  year  entered  upon 


FIRST    SERMON.  95 

the  broad  path  which  leads  to  perdition,  and  which, 
perhaps,  he  will  never  again  forsake  !  For  such  it 
has  indeed  been  an  unfortunate  year. 

How  many  have  yielded  to  intemperance,  and  be- 
came drunkards  in  the  course  of  this  year !  Still, 
thank  God  that  you  have  not  been  carried  off  in  your 
sin.  Make  up  your  minds  for  the  coming  year;  and 
if  you  rejoice,  let  it  be  with  a  joy  that  will  not  bring 
a  stain  upon  your  soul ! 

Sanctify  the  enjoyments  of  the  family  circle.  But, 
above  all,  try  to  render  yourselves  worthy  of  the  de- 
light to  be  experienced  by  union  with  God  in  prayer, 
and  by  the  regular  practice  of  your  religious  duties. 
Has  God  particularly  favored  you  during  the  past 
year  with  heavenly  consolations — such  as  He  granted 
to  the  saints?  Oh,  how  ^fortunate  you  have  been! 
But  if  the  favors  you  received  were  not  as  great  as 
those  conferred  upon  the  saints,  still  you  will  have 
tasted  the  spiritual  joy  and  consolation  which  Christ 
promises  to  every  child  of  the  Church  who  lives  ac- 
cording to  her  spirit! 

The  fourth  hour  to  which  I  call  your  attention 
is  that  .  of  prayer.  In  order  that  we  may  work 
meritoriously  for  heaven,  to  suffer  and  to  enjoy,  it  is 
necessary  that  we  co  operate  with  the  grace  of  God 
within  us,  and  thus  make  ourselves  worthy  of  greater 
graces.  One  principal  means  of  doing  this  is  prayer. 
Have  you  been  more  fervent  this  year  in  saying  your 
prayers  ?  Have  you  said  your  morning  and  night 
prayers  faithfully  ?    Have  you  received  the  Holy  Sac- 


96  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR's    EVE. 

raments  worthily  and  frequently?  If  so,  this  has  been 
a  happy  year  for  you. 

But  if,  unfortunately,  your  conscience  upbraids  you, 
because  you  have  been  less  fervent  in  your  prayers, 
or  have  not  approached  the  Holy  Sacraments  as  well 
as  formerly,  now  is  the  time  for  you  to  resolve  to  do 
better  in  future. 

Finally  there  is  a  time  of  temptation.  '*  Satan  goes 
about  like  a  roaring  lion,  seeking  whom  he  may  de- 
vour," says  St.  Peter. 

Have  you  been  harassed  by  numerous  temptations  ? 
have  you  perhaps  sought  the  occasion,  and  sinned  ? 
For  the  love  of  Christ,  avoid  all  occasions  of  sin,  cost 
what  it  may;  remembering  the  warning  of  Christ: 
''If  thy  eye  scandalize  thee,  pluck  it  out;  if  thy  foot 
scandalize  thee,  cut  it  off."  When  you  are  assailed  by 
temptations  resist  at  once;  pray  for  assistance,  and 
you  will  conquer. 

Finally,  let  me  call  your  attention  to  the  hour  which 
will  toll  for  each  and  every  one  of  us — the  hour  of 
death ! 

If  you  wish  the  hour  of  your  death  to  be  a  consol- 
ing one,  you  must  prepare  for  it,  by  making  good  use 
of  your  life.  The  year  1 8 —  may  close  the  life  of  some 
one  here  present.  Begin,  then,  at  once  to  live  as  in  the 
solemn  hour  of  death  you  will  wish  to  have  lived. 

I  am  indeed  greatly  pleased  to*  see  that  you  are 
closing  this  year  in  the  real  Catholic  spirit  of  the 
Church.  On  the  other  hand  I  pity  those,  who,  al- 
though they  call  themselves  Catholics,  instead  of  as- 


FIRST   SERMON.  97 

sembling  here  to-night  to  thank  God  for  the  bene- 
fits received  during  the  previous  year,  and  to  join  in 
the  Te  Deum,  are  passing  the  last  hours  in  reveling 
and  in  sensual  enjoyments.  How  they  will  repent  of 
having  carried  the  burden  of  the  unbelieving,  heret- 
ical, and  faithless  children  of  the  world,  when  the 
cold  sweat  of  death  covers  their  brow  and  trickles 
down  their  pallid  face. 

Thank  God,  that  Satan  has  not  allured  you  away 
to-night ! 

Make  good  use  of  the  eight  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  sixty  hours  of  the  coming  year,  so  that  the 
New  Year's  eve  which  follows  your  death,  may  find 
you  in  heaven.  This  is  my  sincere  wish  to  you  all  at 
the  close  of  the  year  i8 — !    Amen ! 


98  FEAST   OF    NEW   YEAr's   EVE. 

SECOND    SERMON. 

"Redeem  the  time." — Coloss.  4. 

ANOTHER  year  is  passing  into  eternity,  and  inas- 
much as  the  hearts,  that  see  it  pass,  have  shared 
in  its  happiness  or  its  woe,  its  sorrows  or  its  joys,  its 
gains  or  its  losses,  insomuch  their  emotions  are  varied 
and  opposed. 

There  is  one  thing  in  particular  which  doubtless  fills 
the  heart  of  the  worldling  with  pleasure  at  the  close  of 
the  year.  This  source  of  gratification  is  the  possibility 
of  saying  to  himself  with  truth :  I  have  been  poor,  now 
I  am  rich ;  I  have  cleared  all  my  debts,  and  these  were 
not  insignificant ;  I  have,  moreover,  entered  upon  a  very 
lucrative  business,  in  which  failure  is  out  of  the  ques- 
tion, provided  I  be  watchful ;  and,  my  wealth  increasing 
daily,  a  happy  future,  free  from  cares  and  anxiety,  must 
be  mine. 

But  who  can  tell  what  the  New  Year  brings  for  him  ? 
Unforeseen  events — wars,  storms, fire — very  frequently 
crush  all  such  blissful  expectations.  Sickness  may  be- 
fall him,  or  death  himself  lay  his  icy  hand  upon  him. 
With  what  significance,  then,  these  words  of  Christ  are 
recalled  to  our  minds  to-day:  ''Lay  up  to  yourselves 
treasures  in  heaven;  where  neither  the  rust  nor  moth 
doth  consume,  and  where  thieves  do  not  break  through 
nor  steal ! "  Have  you  gathered  such  treasures  for  your- 
self during  the  past  year?  Will  you  do  so  in  future? 
It  will  entirely  depend  upon  one  condition,  of  which 


SECOND    SERMON.  99 

the  parting  year  so  solemnly  reminds  us :  To  estimate 
time  at  its  worth,  and,  in  consequence,  draw  the  great- 
est profit  from  its  use.  To  do  this  effectually,  we  imcst 
all  redeem  the  lost  time,  employ  well  the  fleetiiig  houry 
sec20'e  the  future,  and  thus  gain  riches  for  eternity, 

0  Mary,  thou  who  didst  offer  to  God  the  first  pul- 
sation of  thy  heart ;  who  didst  spend  every  moment  of 
thy  life  in  glorifying  Him  ;  who  didst  gather  treasures 
far  exceeding  those  of  the  angels  and  saints,  obtain 
for  us  the  grace  that  we,  too,  may  employ  our  time  in 
laboring  for  our  salvation ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God ! 


A  dying  father  once  said  to  his  son:  *'  If  you  wish 
to  become  rich,  you  must,  in  the  first  place,  pay  your 
debts,  and,  secondly,  not  contract  new  ones."  The 
advice  was  certainly  good. 

Many  a  person,  entering  upon  business,  borrows 
money,  and  begins  on  such  a  grand  scale  that  he  is 
obliged  to  contract  very  heavy  debts.  Now^  instead 
of  determining  to  pay  these  debts,  he  imprudently  en- 
ters Into  new  speculations;  falls,  and,  in  the  end,  is 
poorer  than  he  was  when  he  began. 

The  same  may  be  said  with  regard  to  the  affair  of 
our  salvation.  It  Is  necessary  first  to  pay  our  debts. 
What  these  debts  are,  is  shown  by  the  words  of  the 
Lord's  prayer:  ** Forgive  us  our  trespasses."  They 
are  our  sins  and  imperfections. 


lOO  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR's    EVE. 

What  a  solemn  admonition,  if  we  are  earnestly  striv- 
ing to  become  rich  for  heaven !  And  why  ?  Because 
mortal  sin  deprives  us  of  all  the  merit  we  have  gained 
for  heaven  by  our  good  thoughts,  words,  desires  and 
actions.  For  all  the  treasures  which  you  might  have 
gathered  for  heaven,  by  countless  good  thoughts, 
words  and  works, — by  prayer,  confession,  communion 
and  alms-deeds,  during  thirty  or  even  seventy  years 
of  life, — all  would  be  lost,  if  in  the  course  of  this  year 
you  have  committed  one  mortal  sin,  and,  as  our  Lord 
assures  us  by  Ezechiel,  all  your  merits  would  thence- 
forth be  canceled. 

And  still  more  terrible  is  the  thought,  that  all  the 
good  works  performed  in  a  state  of  mortal  sin, — be 
they  what  they  will — even  the  building  of  hospitals 
and  churches  throughout  the  world, — are  not  merito- 
rious of  eternal  life. 

Ascetic  writers  justly  compare  such  works  to  the 
apples  growing  on  the  shore  of  the  Dead  Sea,  which, 
to  the  eye,  seem  rosy  and  ripe,  but  to  the  tongue 
yield  only  dust  and  ashes. 

To  what  expressions  should  we  give  utterance,  and 
how  bitterly  bewail  the  fact,  that  so  many  commit  mor- 
tal sins  even  in  their  youth,  and  continue  for  years  to 
sin  and  confess,  to  confess  and  sin,  to  lose  one  grace 
after  the  other,  and,  as  it  were,  from  day  to  day  to 
increase  their  guilt  in  the  sight  of  God ! 

Sinner,  here  present,  what  does  you  conscience  say 
to  this?  With  what  reason,  perhaps,  you  will  have  to 
exclaim:  What  must  I  do  to  pay  these  debts?    I  an- 


SECOND    SERMON.  lOI 

swer  you :  Go  to  confession,  make  known  your  guilt 
to  the  representative  of  Christ,  repent,  and  redeem 
the  lost  time  by  works  of  penance. 

This,  however,  is  not  meant  for  mortal  sins  only ; 
the  little  concern  with  which  we  commit  venial  sins 
make  us  heedless  of  time,  deprives  us  of  its  benefits, 
and  endangers  our  salvation. 

Venial  sin  certainly  does  not,  like  mortal  sin,  deprive 
us  of  the  merit  which  we  have  acquired  by  the  perform- 
ance of  good  works ;  but  it  tarnishes  the  soul.  These 
deliberate  venial  sins,  besides,  do  not  only  hinder  the 
flow  of  God's  graces ;  but  also  lessen  in  us  the  desire 
of  profiting  by  those  we  receive,  and  thus  they  will 
gradually  lead  us  into  that  state  of  indifference  of 
which  Christ  speaks  in  this  threatening  manner:  ''  But 
because  thou  art  lukewarm,  ...  I  will  begin  to 
vomit  thee  out  of  my  mouth." 

Therefore  examine  yourself  also  in  this  respect  at 
the  close  of  the  year.  Although  you  may  not  have 
offended  God  by  mortal  sin,  still  think  how  many 
venial  sins  you  may  have  committed!  of  how  many 
imperfections  you  stand  accused!  To  you,  also,  the 
warning  cry  is  directed:  Redeem  the  lost  time  by 
confession  and  entire  reconciliation  with  God.  Begin 
a  new  life,  examine  your  conscience  with  still  greater 
care,  and  make  good  use  of  your  time. 

Your  fidelity  in  this  resolution  may  serve  to  in- 
demnify you  for  the  loss  of  the  precious  gems  won 
by  your  good  works,  by  giving  you  the  jewels  of 
a  sincere  repentance.     The  meaning  of  thi§  is   ex- 


102  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR  S    EVE. 

plained  by  a  particular  instance  in  the  life  of  St.  Ger- 
trude. 

Gertrude  was  once  favored  with  a  vision.  A  soul 
appeared  to  her,  arrayed  in  a  splendid  garment.  In 
numerous  places  this  garment  had  been  torn  from  top 
to  bottom,  but  the  rents  were  bordered  with  the  most 
precious  pearls.  Gertrude  inquired  of  the  soul  the 
meaning  of  these  countless  rents  and  their  peculiar 
embroidery.  The  soul  replied:  Gertrude,  the  many 
rents  you  behold  in  this  garment,  are  the  mortal  sins 
which  I  committed  during  my  life,  and  with  which  I 
thus  marred  the  beauty  of  my  baptismal  robe.  The 
many  pearls  which  you  see,  are  the  tears  shed  for 
them  In  sincere  repentance. 

O  sinner,  profit  by  this  reply ;  redeem  the  lost  time 
by  works  of  penance !  Yea,  more ;  redeem  it,  as  the 
saints  have  done,  by  showing  the  greatest  solicitude 
in  the  use  of  the  present  time  still  your  own. 

And  in  what  did  the  zeal  of  the  saints  for  the  ad- 
vantageous employment  of  their  time  consist?  The 
saints  fully  understood  the  great  value  of  time  in  its 
relations  to  eternity ;  they  knew  that  the  proper  use 
of  time  was  the  only  means  of  acquiring  new  merit, 
and  of  increasing  the  merit  already  gained.  Time  Is 
a  gift  which  the  saints,  even  in  their  blessedness,  do, 
as  it  were,  begrudge  us.  To  gain  one  minute's  time 
every  saint  would  leave  heaven ;  as  St.  Teresa,  ap- 
pearing in  a  vision,  once  said  to  one  of  her  spiritual 
daughters :  If  you  but  knew  the  value  of  time !  I 
would  gladly  leave  heaven  for  the  short  time  neces- 


SECOND    SERMON.  IO3 

sary  to  say  one  Hail  Mary,  and  would  then  be  willing 
to  remain  in  purgatory  till  the  end  of  the  world,  thereby 
to  increase  my  eternal  glory. 

Thoroughly  understanding  the  value  of  time,  you 
must  count  the  minutes  to  save  the  hours ;  and  not 
be  so  foolish  as  to  spend  time  frivolously,  to  lose  it, 
or  to  waste  it  in  idleness.  No  eagle  soars  so  swiftly, 
no  storm  sweeps  along  so  rapidly,  as  time  speeds  on, 
never  more  to  return. 

It  is  therefore  necessary  to  guard  your  tongue,  and 
so  to  regulate  your  intercourse  with  others  as  to  leave 
sufficient  time  for  prayer  and  the  practice  of  good 
works,  constantly  striving  to  follow  the  example  of  the 
saints. 

The  saints  made  use  of  their  time,  also,  by  heark- 
ening to  the  inspirations  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  order 
to  profit  by  them,  and  to  gain  merit  especially  by  the 
faithful  accomplishment  of  the  duties  of  their  state,  in 
accordance  with  the  rules  of  a  well-regulated  life.  If 
you  have  the  duties  of  every-day  carefully  marked 
out,  and  perform  them  faithfully,  you  will  not  suffer 
any  loss  of  time.  Endeavor  to  do  this  in  the  coming 
year. 

But  the  saints  turned  time  to  account,  especially  by 
their  earnestness  in  embracing  every  opportunity  of 
practising  virtue,  and  performing  good  works,  and  by 
their  zeal  in  seeking  such  opportunities.  This  caused 
them  to  become  so  rich  in  merits.  Follow  their  exam- 
ple in  the  coming  year,  and  it  will  prove  a  year  of  the 
greatest  merit. 


I04  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEARS    EVE. 

By  these  means  secure  the  future  time,  as  the  saints 
have  done,  reflecting  upon  death  and  eternity.  What 
can  better  prove  the  value  of  time,  or  confirm  your 
resolution  of  employing  it  well,  than  the  thought  of 
the  last  breath  we  shall  draw  when  stretched  on  the 
bed  of  death  ?  What  will  be  your  last  wish  ?  Certainly 
no  other  than  this :  Had  I  but  employed  my  time  as 
profitably  as  the  saints  have  done ! 

Consider  frequently  what  our  feelings  will  be  in 
eternity,  when  we  look  back  upon  the  time  that  was 
given  us  on  earth  in  which  to  gain  merits;  and  what 
sufferings  the  reprobates  of  hell  would  willingly  en- 
dure for  half  an  eternity,  if  they  could  but  redeem 
one  minute's  time  to  make  an  act  of  perfect  contri- 
tion. But  then  it  will  be  too  late;  now  we  still  have 
time. 

Therefore  I  exhort  you  again  :  Redeem  the  lost 
time,  make  good  use  of  the  present,  and  secure  the 
future ;  atid  this  New  Year's  Eve  will  be  succeeded 
by  the  dawn  of  a  new  life  for  you — a  life  of  virtue. — 
Amen ! 


THIRD    SERMON.  IO5 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"The  former  things  have  passed  away." — Apoc,  21. 

THE  last  evening  of  the  year !    What  an  important, 
solemn  evening  in  its   relation  to  the    affair  of 
our  salvation,  which  knows  no  evening,  but  endures 

through  eternal  years! 

If  this  end  of  our  creation,  our  eternal  happiness, 
has  been  attained,  all  is  well,  all  is  saved;  but  if  this 
is  not  reached,  all  is  confusion,  all  is  lost. 

How  solemnly  the  close  of  the  year  recalls  this 
truth,  forcibly  telling  us  of  the  swift  flight  of  the  time 
in  which  we  are  to  secure  our  salvation.  Now  or 
never ;  and  this  now  is  so  brief,  so  uncertain,  so  fleet- 
ing! 

How  quickly  a  year  glides  by,  and  how  few  years 
we  count  in  a  life-time  ! 

At  the  same  time  the  departing  year  strongly  re- 
minds us  of  the  disposition  of  our  hearts  necessary  in 
order  that  we  may  work  effectually  with  regard  to  our 
salvation ;  it  points  out  to  us  those  truths,  those 
thoughts  and  convictions  which  aid  us  most  powerfully 
in  strengthening  in  us  the  desire  to  accomplish  the 
holy  will  of  God  in  all  things  ;  finally,  it  tells  us  to 
make  use  of  all  that  God  has  created,  or  that  may  be- 
fall us,  as  a  means  to  prove  our  love  towards  God. 

The  parting  year  loudly  proclaims  that  all  that 
which  is  earthly,  shall  pass  aivay, — that  07ily  what  is 
eternal,  is  of  value. 


I06  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAr'>S    EVE. 

0  Mary,  whom  the  Church  calls  the  wisest  of  vir- 
gins, whose  life  was  spent  in  laboring  for  a  blissful 
eternity,  obtain  for  us,  as  the  fruit  of  this  hour's  de- 
votion, thy  great  earnestness,  that  we  may  begin  to 
work  seriously  for  our  salvation,  and  continue  in  this 
zeal  until  the  close  of  our  mortal  career! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
honor  of  God! 


**  All  is  well  that  ends  well,"  an  old  proverb  tells  us, 
and  facts  grove  the  truth  of  the  saying.  The  question 
is  not,  whether  we  have  gained  or  lost  this  year,  or, 
if  there  have  been  gains,  whether  these  were  large  or 
small,  but  the  whole  inquiry  is  about  the  present  state 
of  our  fortune.  In  other  words,  our  temporal  pros- 
perity does  not  so  much  depend  on  the  happy  begin- 
ning of  the  year  as  on  its  successful  close. 

Perchance,  you  were  in  needy  circumstances  at  the 
beginning  of  the  year,  and  during  it  you  have  inher- 
ited an  amount  of  property,  so  that  to-night,  at  its 
close,  you  have  an  abundance  of  wealth.  It  has 
proved  a  successful  year  for  you. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  year  you  were  with- 
out employment ;  but  you  have  obtained  a  position 
which  will  enable  you  to  provide  for  yourself  and  your 
family  for  life.    It  has  been  a  happy  year  for  you. 

You  were  in  poor  health  -when  the  year  began,  but 
you  met  with  an  able  physician,  and  recovered  en- 
tirely.    You  are  in  better  health  now  than  ever  before. 


THIRD  ^SERMON.  \OJ 

This  year  has  been  a  fortunate  one  in  regard  to  your 
temporal  welfare. 

Viewed  from  the  opposite  side,  this  truth  still  re- 
mains :  For  what  will  it  avail  you,  if  you  began  the 
year  in  opulence,  and  if  you  are  now  in  reduced  cir- 
cumstances, if  various  misfortunes  have  deprived  you 
of  your  possessions  ?  You  held  a  lucrative  position, 
but  are  at  present  without  employment.  You  were 
in  excellent  health,  and  in  the  course  of  the  year  a 
chronic  disease  made  its  presence  in  you  known.  And, 
therefore,  as  far  as  your  well  being  on  earth  is  con- 
cerned, this  year  has  not  been  a  happy  one. 

This  consideration,  and  the  conclusion  we  have 
drawn,  will  be  of  immeasurably  greater  importance 
when  we  reflect  upon  the  end  and  aim  of  man,  his  re- 
lation to  God  and  to  eternity ;  and  when  we  think  of 
the  great  and  only  necessary  affair  of  our  salvation. 
If,  then,  at  the '  close  of  the  year  I  were  to  put  this 
question  to  you :  What  are  your  feelings  with  regard 
to  this  truth  ?  Does  it  impress  you  more  deeply  to- 
night than  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  ?  And  does  it 
exert  a  greater  influence  upon  your  life  of  virtue  ? 

Man  is  in  this  world  that  he  may  know,  love,  and 
serve  God,  and  thereby  render  himself  happy  forever. 

The  proof  we  have  that  this  truth  is  not  only  not 
beyond  the  grasp  of  our  understanding,  but  that  it 
moreover  pervades  and  influences  our  whole  being,  is 
made  manifest  according  to  a  remark  of  St.  Ignatius 
in  his  spiritual  exercises,  by  a  four-fold  disposition  of 
our  will.     For  it  is  owing  to  the  state  of  the  will  that 


I08  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR's    EVE. 

man  has  the  power  sincerely  to  acknowledge  that 
riches  or  poverty,  honor  or  contempt,  health  or  sick- 
ness, a  short  life  or  a  long  one,  are  no  longer  a  mat- 
ter of  desire,  provided  he  can  serve  God,  know  His 
will,  and  accomplish  it  as  perfectly  as  possible. 

And  what  thought,  what  motive  is  it  that  determines 
?ind  strengthens  us  in  our  resolutions  to  serve  God, 
and  to  overcome  every  obstacle  that  opposes  us 
herein  ?  It  is  the  constant  meditation  upon  that  great 
truth,  of  which  the  parting  year  so  forcibly  reminds 
us,  namely:  All  that  is  earthly  will  pass  away,  and 
nothing  is  of  real  value  except  the  treasures  which 
we  lay  up  for  heaven,  and  which  endure  for  all  eternity. 

No  doubt  our  salvation  absolutely  requires  that 
disposition  of  heart  and  will  which  enables  man  to 
will  and  desire  nothing  but  the  accomplishment  of  the 
holy  will  of  God  and  His  glorification,  no  matter 
whether  it  be  in  riches  or  poverty,  in  honor  or  con- 
tempt, in  health  or  sickness,  in  long  life  or  in  short 
life. 

Satan,  the  world,  and  the  flesh  act  in  direct  opposi- 
tion to  this,  and  seek  to  destroy  this  equanimity  by 
an  inordinate  longing  to  become  rich  and  honored, 
and  to  live  as  long  as  possible  in  the  enjoyment  of 
earthly  pleasure. 

There  are  numerous  reasons  which  may  serve  to 
convince  man  that  the  possession  of  earthly  goods  is 
insufficient  to  satisfy  the  human  heart,  formed  and 
fashioned  for  God. 

But    there    is    one    particular   circumstance  which 


THIRD    SERMON.  IO9 

points  out  to  US  the  folly  and  vanity  of  seeking  con- 
tentment in  the  enjoyment  of  temporal  goods ;  and 
this  is  the  recollection  which  the  present  evening 
awakens  within  us,  that  all  things  earthly  pass  away, 
and  pass,  oh,  how  quickly ! 

Can  you  deny  it? 

How  many  have  died  during  the  course  of  this 
year !  They  were  rich,  exceedingly  rich — ten  times, 
a  hundred  times  richer  than  you.  They  labored  suc- 
cessfully for  increase  of  wealth,  and,  perhaps,  risked 
their  health,  and  even  their  lives,  in  its  acquirement; 
and  now  they  are  gone  into  eternity. 

They  have  not  taken  a  single  farthing  to  the  other 
world.  What  must  their  feelings  have  been  in  the 
hour  of  death?  They  surely  thought:  O  mammon! 
you  are  not  deserving  of  the  care  and  the  hard  labor 
I  had  on  your  account.  I  shortened  my  life  for  you  ; 
but  I  must  leave  all.  There  is  nothing  that  I  can  take 
with  me,  save  the  good  works  which  I  have  performed 
for  the  love  of  God  ;  these  only  will  accompany  me, 
and  endure  forever.  Oh  that  I  had  been  more  anx- 
ious during  my  life  to  gather  treasures  for  heaven  by 
deeds  of  virtue  ! 

Honored  or  despised,  we  should  say,  when  there  is 
question  of  serving  our  Lord,  it  is  immaterial  to  me, 
if  I  but  glorify  God.  Many  reasons  there  are  which 
go  to  prove  how  insignificant  and  defective  all  the 
honor  is  which  may  be  conferred  upon  man,  but  noth- 
ing proves  this  more  clearly  or  more  forcibly  than  the 
parting  year.     Past  and  gone! 


I  lO  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR  S    EVE. 

Kings  may  have  been  deprived  of  their  thrones  dur- 
ing the  year,  and  others  who  were  honored  are  now 
disgraced  and  ignored. 

There  will  be  a  time  when  all  earthly  distinction  and 
renown  will  vanish  like  smoke.  Gone !  Honor,  no 
you  are  not  worth  my  seeking;  for  what  would  it 
avail  me  to  have  reached  the  height  of  fame,  if  in 
eternity  I  would  be  compelled  to  suffer  the  ignominy 
of  the  reprobate  ? 

Health  or  infirmity,  a  long  or  a  short  life,  I  am  in- 
different to  all  provided  I  be  saved.  Such  should  be 
our  sentiments. 

There  are  many  motives  to  urge  us  thus  to  dispose 
our  hearts,  but  perhaps  the  most  powerful  of  them  all 
is  the  one  of  which  the  dying  year  reminds  us.  The 
time  will  come  for  your  final  illness ;  and  the  time  of 
death  will  come,  and  perhaps  very  soon,  to  put  an 
end  to  all  things  earthly. 

Hearken  in  spirit  to  the  words  of  the  angel  of  time, 
as  they  resound  this  evening  among  the  tombs  of  the 
dead:   Gone — -fo7^ever.gone ! 

God  grant  that  not  only  this  last  evening  of  the 
year  but  every  evening  may  bring  to  our  minds  what 
I  have  just  said,  and  no  doubt  our  will  to  serve  God 
will  then  be  strengthened,  and  during  the  course  of 
the  coming  year,  and  all  successive  years,  we  will  live 
in  such  a  manner  as  constantly  to  increase  our  mer- 
its for  eternal  life. — Amen  ! 


FEAST  OF  NEW  YEAR'S  DAY. 


I 


FIRST  SERMON. 

"  Behold,  I  make  all  things  new." — Apoc. 

N  the  Book  of  Time  another  leaf  has  been  turned, 


and  a  new  page  Hes  open  before  us.  Who  is  there 
that  would  not  desire  this  year  to  become  for  him  a 
happy  and  a  blessed  one,  not  only  in  temporal  mat- 
ters, but  also  in  the  weightier  affairs  of  the  soul  ?  In- 
deed, so  universal  is  this  wish,  and  so  deeply  implanted 
in  the  human  heart,  that  it  has  given  rise  to  the  beau- 
tiful custom  of  friends  wishing  one  another  peace  and 
happiness  during  the  year  which  is  just  dawning  upon 
the  world.  The  general  mode  of  greeting  at  this  fes- 
tive season  runs  something  like  this  : 

*'/  wish  you  a  happy  new  yem^, — health,  prosperity, 
long  life,  and  all  that  your  heart  desires.'' 

I  am  not,  in  general,  my  friends,  opposed  to  these 
expressions  of  good  will ;  l^ut  I  regret  that  they  mani- 
festly relate  only  to  the  temporal  welfare  of  our  neigh- 
bor. We  may,  and  even  should,  wish  his  temporal 
affairs  to  prosper,  in  so  far  as  the  possession  of  this 
world's  goods  can  serve  as  a  means  of  pleasing  God; 
but  how  much  more  earnestly  should  true  fraternal 
charity  urge  and  dispose  us  to  express  our  heartfelt 
wishes  for  the  welfare  of  his  soul,  for  his  rapid  prog- 


cm) 


T  1 2  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR  S    DAY.  , 

ress  in  the  great  affair  of  salvation,  and  his  advance 
in  the  way  of  Christian  perfection  ? 

To  bring  it  more  forcibly  home  to  us,  and  to  place 
before  our  eyes  in  the  clearest  manner  the  nature  of 
what  our  New  Year's  wishes  should  be,  we  need  only 
apply  the  same  words  of  congratulation  to  the  spirit- 
ual life,  and  hence  I  say :  Upon  this  joyous  festive 
day,  which  ushers  in  the  dawning  of  another  year,  I 
wish  to  one  and  all  spiritual  health  and  welfare,  a  rich 
store  of  good,  meritorious  actions,  length  of  days,  and 
every  thing  that  your  hearts  can  wish  for,  or  rather 
what  I  would  desire  for  myself  in  the  order  of  progress 
on  the  way  of  salvation. 

0  Mary,  may  my  wish  be  accomplished,  during  the 
course  of  the  present  year,  in  every  one  assembled 
here ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


"A  happy  New  Year,  and  may  you  enjoy  good 
health  till  its  close."  There  is  every  reason  to  ex- 
press this  wish,  for  health  is  a  most  precious  boon ; 
and  is  more  necessary  to  the  enjoyment  of  life,  from 
a  worldly  point  of  view,  than  any  other  temporal  bless- 
ing. What  avail  riches  or  honors  if  health  be  wanting 
to  their  possessor;  for,  though  all  the  dignities  and 
honors  that  man  can  acquire  were  placed  at  one's 
disposal,  they  could  afford  the  recipient  no  pleasure 
if  he  were  obliged  to  be  weary  and  ill  on  a  bed  of 


FIRST    SERMON.  I  1 3 

pain.  In  a  still  greater  degree  does  the  tradesman, 
upon  whose  daily  toil  depends  his  daily  bread,  feel  the 
importance  of  health ;  for,  were  he  to  fall  ill,  he  must 
see  his  wife  and  little  ones  want  for  food. 

But  if  this  be  so  in  regard  to  our  corporal  health,  so 
much  the  more  forcibly  does  it  apply  to  the  welfare  of 
our  souls — to  our  spiritual  health.  And  this  depends 
on  the  state  of  sanctifying  grace,  and  on  the  efficacy 
of  actual  grace,  for  he  who  is  not  in  the  state  of  sanc- 
tifying grace  is  spiritually  dead ;  in  the  sight  of  God 
he  is  a  corpse. 

O  Christians,  how  many  walk  the  earth,  even  those 
who  have  received  the  gift  of  faith,  and  yet  their  souls 
are  dead  within  them !  This  is  especially  so  in  large 
cities,  which,  in  many  instances,  might  well  be  called 
spiritual  grave-yards.  And  among  those  assembled 
here  to-day,  are  there  not  many  whose  souls  are  laden 
with  the  heavy  weight  of  mortal  sin,  who  suffer  from 
hour  to  hour  the  gnawing  pain  of  the  worm  which 
never  dies — remorse — who,  before  God,  are  spiritu- 
ally dead  ?  To  such,  my  New  Year's  wish  may  easily 
be  divined. 

Sinners,  I  wish  you,  from  my  inmost  heart,  a  sincere 
return  to  God,  perfect  reconciliation  with  him  in  the 
sacrament  of  penance,  and  the  grace  of  perseverance. 
To  you  I  will  not  wish  temporal  prosperity,  for  it 
would  bring  no  blessing,  but  rather  afford  new  oppor- 
tunities for  you  to  go  on  in  your  sinful  career,  to  offend 
your  Creator  so  deeply  until  the  curse  of  the  damned 
would  most  certainly  fall  upon  your  miserable  souls; 


I  1 4  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR  S    DAY. 

for,  according  to  St.  Augustine:  ''There  is  no  surer 
sign  of  eternal  reprobation  than  the  temporal  pros- 
perity of  the  sinner." 

But  if  you  are  in  the  state  of  grace,  and  striving  to 
walk  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  then,  beloved  in  Christ, 
I  wish  you  perfect  spiritual  health.  The  maladies  to 
which  our  souls  are  subjected  are  produced  by  the  in- 
ward tumult  of  the  various  passions  to  which  we  yield, 
for  sin  creates  the  keenest  sufferings.  St.  Ambrose 
knew  this  well  when  he  exclaimed:  ''Man,  thy  fever 
is  pride,  covetousness,  lust,  anger,  gluttony,  envy, 
sloth  ;  and  although  we  may  not  be  deprived  of  the 
life  of  the  soul — sanctifying  grace — having  committed 
no  mortal  sin,  nevertheless  it  will  be  very  much  weak- 
ened by  the  venial  sins  and  imperfections  which  we 
commit."  They  injure  the  health  of  the  soul,  and  a 
spiritual  languor  is  the  inevitable  result. 

Some  among  you,  in  the  course  of  the  departed 
year,  may  have  given  way  to  vanity  and  pride.  It 
has  colored  almost  all  your  words  and  deeds,  and 
self-love  has  kept  your  interior  in  a  constant  state 
of  tumult  and  agitation ;  therefore  my  New  Year's 
wish  for  you  is  an  entire  recovery,  namely,  the  acqui- 
sition of  a  very  humble  heart. 

You  have  been,  during  the  year  now  passed  away, 
suffering  from  spiritual  indisposition.  Avarice — the 
greed  of  gold — has  affected  your  souls,  and  money 
seems  to  be  the  object  of  all  your  love.  I  wish  you, 
for  the  New  Year,  a  speedy  recovery  from  this  dan- 
gerous  malady^hearts   entirely  free   from  all  disor- 


FIRST   SERMON.  II5 

derly  desires  after  the  possessions  and  treasures  of 
this  world. 

You  have,  within  the  past  year,  suffered  from  some 
spiritual  malady  which,  it  may  be,  was  an  undue  irri- 
tability and  sensitiveness,  which  produced  a  constant 
fever  of  anger  and  impatience.  I  wish  you,  for  the 
New  Year,  a  perfect  recovery,  and  the  grace  of  an 
unalterably  forbearing  disposition  of  heart.  May  you 
strive  to  become  like  Jesus-^ — "qieek  and  lowly  of 
heart." 

You  have  been  weak  and  ill  in  the  past  year, — 
weak  and  troubled  in  spirit;  for  the  fever  of  envy 
burned  in  your  veins,  and  took  possession  of  your 
hearts.  My  wish  to  you,  O  envious  souls,  is  that 
you  may  fully  recover  from  your  malady,  and  that  a 
new  heart  may  be  given  to  each  of  you — an  affec- 
tionate, a  loving,  a  generous  heart. 

Many  among  you  may  have,  perhaps,  welcomed  the 
coming,  and  witnessed  the  departing,  of  many  years, 
during  all  of  which  you  have  been  miserable  victims 
to  the  ills  of  drunkenness  and  gluttony,  which  have 
tormented  your  soul  and  body.  My  wish  to  you  Is, 
that  you  give  up  these  degrading  vices,  and  rejoice  In 
the  renewal  of  spiritual  health. 

And  you,  sinners,  whose  favorite  passion  Is  impurity, 
It  may  be  that  until  now  you  have  suffered  constantly 
from  this  dreadful  spiritual  malady.  You — but  I  for- 
get— this  malady,  this  fearful  vice,  not  only  weakens, 
but  it  kills  the  life  of  the  soul.  Yes,  every  time  you 
consent — in  thought,  desire,  word,   or  deed — to  this 


Il6  FEAST    OF    NEW   YEAR's    DAY. 

sin,  you  inflict  a  mortal  wolind  on  your  poor  soul,  until 
finally  you  carry  it  dead  within  you.  Most  earnestly 
do  I  wish  you,  therefore,  an  abiding,  an  utter  abhor- 
rence for  this  vice — a  wish  which  is  most  especially 
addressed  to  the  youth  assembled  here.  Young  men 
and  young  women,  would  you,  during  the  coming  year, 
enjoy  perfect  spiritual  health,  and  live  for  God?  Oh, 
then,  resolve  nevermore  to  be  alone  with  persons  of 
the  other  sex. 

Say  not:  *' I  commit  no  sin."  To  remain  volunta- 
rily in  the  occasion  bf  sin  is  a  great  sin  in  itself;  and 
even  though  you  feel  no  temptation  yourself,  you  know 
not  how  it  is  with  your  companion  of  the  hour. 

You  may  have  been,  throughout  the  year,  tepid  in 
prayer,  wanting  in  devotion,  negligent  in  attending 
church,  in  reading  spiritual  books,  in  practising  the 
spiritual  and  corporal  works  of  mercy,  and  all  this 
has  brought  on  the  dreadful  malady  of  sloth.  My 
earnest  wish  to  all  who  are  thus  afflicted  is,  may  you 
recover  entirely  from  that  slow  but  dangerous  fever 
which  has  enervated  all  your  faculties,  and  arise  to  a 
new  life,  which  will  be  marked  by  the  ardent  zeal  of 
the  saint  whose  name  you  bear. 

And  even  as  our  corporal  health  is  not  only  con- 
nected with  the  interior,  but  also  with  every  sense  of 
the  body,  so  does  my  congratulatory  wish  to-day  re- 
fer spiritually  to  them.  For  instance,  I  wish  you  per- 
fect sight.  There  are  numberless  Christians  who,  in 
a  spiritual  sense,  possess  defective  vision.  They  are 
short-sighted  ;  or,  looking  askance  at  the  duties  with 


FIRST   SERMON.  II7 

which  they  are  bound  to  comply,  pass  them  by.  There 
are  even  those  who  are  bHnd,  because  they  do  not  wish 
to  see.  May  God  preserve  you  all  from  this  affliction, 
and  keep  you  from  deliberate  blindness  in  matters  of 
salvation.  May  He,  by  His  holy  grace,  enable  you  to 
see,  "with  vision  bright  and  clear,"  the  vanity  of  the 
world,  the  frightful  malice  of  sin,  the  beauty  of  virtue, 
the  value  of  time,  and  all  that  God  wishes  and  requires 
of  you.  May  you  be  delivered  from  the  short-sighted- 
ness of  the  children  of  this  world  in  matters  of  salva- 
tion. And  in  regard  to  the  eyes  of  the  body,  may  God 
preserve  you  all  from  undue  curiosity  of  the  eyes,  for 
they  are  the  gates  through  which  the  tempter  enters ; 
therefore  guard  them  well. 

I  wish  you  all  perfect  hearing.  In  previous  years, 
you  may  have  opened  your  ears  to  listen  to  worldly  and 
sinful  conversation  which  went  on  around  you.  Try 
to  undo  the  error  now,  and  close  them  fast  against 
the  suggestions  and  temptations  of  the  world.  On 
the  other  hand,  I  wish  you  acute  spiritual  hearing, 
that  you  may  clearly  and  at  once  perceive  the  most 
delicate  inspirations  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

At  the  same  time,  I  wish  the  most  acute  spiritual 
sense  of  smell  to  you  all,  that  the  faintest  breath  of 
sin  may  prove  so  offensive  to  you  that  you  will  be  far 
removed  from  the  danger  of  falling  into  any  grievous 
offense.  Also  may  the  sweet  odor  of  virtue  attract 
you  so  irresistibly  that  nothing  will  seem  sweet  or 
refreshing  to  you  except  what  is  pleasing  to  Jesus. 

I  wish  you,  in  fine,  a  good  and  discerning  spiritual 


I  1 8  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR's    DAY. 

taste,  and  spiritual  health  in  perfection,  that  you  may- 
be able  to  bear,  with  heroic  patience  and  conformity  to 
the  will  of  God,  all  injuries,  adversities,  and  sufferings. 

How  few  there  are,  even  among  Christians,  who  re- 
main cheerful  and  happy  when  God  favors  them  with 
troubles  and  afflictions.  Try,  then,  beloved  in  Christ, 
to  be  among  those  blessed  souls  who  accepjt  every 
thing  as  coming  from  the  hand  of  God. 

The  usual  wish,  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  goes 
on  thus:  ''Happiness,  length  of  days,  and  all  that 
your  heart  can  wish."  As  to  happiness,  it  depends 
upon  the  fulfillment  and  avoidance  of  what  I  have 
spoken  to  you  to-day;  but,  in  regard  to  length  of 
days,  that  depends  on  the  manner  in  which  we  em- 
ploy each  moment  of  time,  and  embrace  each  oppor- 
tunity of  doing  good.  Holy  Scripture  says:  ''True 
virtue  confers  an  age  venerable  with  years."  I  wish 
you  a  year  filled  with  merits  for  life  eternal,  so  that 
not  even  one  minute  of  it  will  be  lost.  Oh,  what  an 
enviable,  happy  year  would  not  that  be ! 

The  conclusion  of  the  greeting  is :  "And  all  that 
your  heart  can  wish."  What  that,  is  I  know  not,  but 
I  will  speak  for  myself,  and  say:  "  What  /wish  for 
I  know,  and  I  include  you  all  in  it.  It  is  nothing  less 
than,  here  below,  the  life  of  a  saint;  and,  there  above, 
communion  with  the  blessed  forever."  This,  beloved 
in  the  Lord  Jesus,  is  my  wish  and  greeting  for  New 
Year,  in  the  unction  and  power  of  that  most  sweet 
name,  Jesus.    Amen  ! 


SECOND    SERMON.  II9 

SECOND  SERMON. 

"We  are  absent  from  the  Lord." — 2  Cor.  v,  6. 

THE  swiftly  flying  hours  have  come  and  gone,  and 
another  year  has  forever  vanished  into  the  dim 
and  shadowy  past,  while  with  faltering  steps  we  enter 
upon  a  period  of  time  which  will  bring  for  us — we  know 
not  what. 

Yes,  the  years  come  and  pass;  and  not  only  that, 
but  we  pass  with  them ;  for  we  have  not  been  created 
for  this  world.  ''We  have  not  here  a  lasting  city," 
but  our  destination  is  a  happy  abode  in  heaven.  In 
other  words,  we  are  not  at  home,  but  on  our  way 
thereto,  and  our  life  is  a  pilgrimage,  of  which  the 
words  of  the  Apostle,  which  I  have  chosen  for  my  text 
to-day,  can  not  fail  to  remind  us. 

Every  thing  depends  solely  on  this :  whether  we  are 
truly  on  the  way  to  salvation,  and  perform  our  parts 
in  every  way  to  insure  a  happy  termination  of  this  pil- 
grimage to  eternity. 

In  order  to  understand  clearly  the  individual  condi- 
tions with  which  we  have  to  comply,  to  bring  about 
the  above  so-much-to-be-desired  result,  we  need  only 
think  what  preparations  a  traveler  makes  before  ven- 
turing upon  a  long  and  dangerous  journey. 

hi  this  regard,  generally  speaking,  to  i?isiire  a  pros- 
perous journey  tJiere  are  tJiree  essentials,  tJie  first  of 
which  is  stability  of  purpose.  Whoever  i7i  tends  setting 
out  upon  a  journey  must  begin  with  decision^  go  vigor- 


1 20  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR  S    DAY. 

ously  forward,  and  remove  all  obstacles  which  starid  in 
the  way  of  his  desired  aim. 

0  Mary,  unto  thy  patronage  we  fly ;  bless  us,  thy 
children,  especially  to-day  at  the  beginning  of  the 
year,  that,  with  unwavering  zeal,  we  may  tread  the  path 
of  virtue  pointed  out  to  us  by  thy  example,  O  queen 
of  heaven ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


In  order  to  arrive  safely  at  the  termination  of  the 
pilgrimage  of  life,  and  reach  the  goal  for  which  we* 
strive — the  joy  of  heaven — we  must  imitate  the  course 
of  the  careful  traveler  who,  when  about  to  set  out  on 
an  earthly  pilgrimage,  leaves  nothing  undone  that  he 
may  arrive  securely  where  he  wishes  to  go.  The  req- 
uisite precautions  are  in  general  three  :  first,  he  must 
be  thoroughly  in  earnest.  This  disposition  is  the  more 
necessary  the  more  dangerous  the  journey  is  found 
to  be,  and  the  greater  length  of  time  it  is  expected  to 
last.  How  essential,  therefore,  is  it  not  in  our  pilgrim- 
age to  the  eternal  shore !  How  much  depends  upon 
its  possession! 

It  implies  a  firm  resolution  to  follow  Christ,  and  to 
secure  a  place  on  the  road  by  which  he  went  before 
us.  In  other  words,  it  is  that  firm  will,  which  angelic 
spirits  wished  to  men  of  good  will  at  the  birth  of  our 
Redeemer :  **  Peace  on  earth  to  men  of  good  will." 

The  journey  is  long,  for  it  lasts  until  the  very  latest 


SECOND    SERMON.  12  1 

breath  we  draw.  It  is  wearisome,  and  every  step  is 
fraught  with  perils ;  therefore  the  urgent  necessity 
for  firmness  and  a  determination  to  resist  every  temp- 
tation to  loiter  along  the  broad  and  pleasant  path 
which  will  take  us  far  from  our  eternal  destination. 
But,  alas !  such  dispositions  are  to  be  found  among  the 
smallest  number,  even  of  those  who  are  of  ''  the  house- 
hold of  the  faith,"  and  all  are  not  generous  enough  to 
say,  and  to  act  upon  the  declaration:  "Cost  what  it 
may,  I  will  save  my  soul."  How  many  there  are, 
even  of  those  whose  silvery  locks  and  faltering  steps 
show  that  their  end  is  nigh,  who  could  not  with  truth 
point  to  one  year  in  their  lives  which  they  have  en- 
tered upon  with  a  resolution  to  amend,  so  firm,  that 
they  have  never  once  faltered  therein !  who  have 
said,  and  fulfilled  the  promise:  "I  will  strive  to  do' 
better  during  the  coming  year ;  to  come  daily  and 
hourly  nearer  heaven ;  to  increase  my  store  of  merits 
for  that  glorious  place.  I  will  therefore  make  constant 
use  of  all  those  means  which  God  has  left  with  His 
Church ;  I  will  lead  a  life  for  Him,  even  though  it  cost 
me  my  dearest  earthly  joys." 

The  careful  traveler  is,  above  all,  mindful  to  learn 
every  particular  in  regard  to  the  road  which  he  pro- 
poses to  take,  so  that  he  may  more  speedily  and  more 
safely  arrive  at  his  journey's  end. 

Let  us  thank  God  that  we  are  children  of  His  holy 
Church,  which,  in  the  most  explicit  manner,  tells  us  all 
we  wish  to  know.  Yes ;  she  informs  us  by  her  holy 
faith,  which  brilliantly  illuminates  the  way  to  heaven, 


122  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEARS    DAY. 

that  none  can  fail  to  find  the  path,  or  to  remain  in 
ignorance  of  what  is  essential  to  know,  in  order  to 
fulfill  the  holy  will  of  God. 

The  traveler  is  always  concerned  as  to  the  enjoy- 
ment and  happiness  which  will  be  his  when  his  desti- 
nation has  been  happily  reached,  and  gives  frequent 
thought  to  the  trouble  he  would  experience  should  he 
fail  to  reach  it  at  all.  This  shows  how  essential  it  is 
that  the  pilgrim,  who  aims  at  heaven,  should,  at  the 
recurrence  of  every  year,  consider  with  deep  atten- 
tion how  he  can  live  on  earth  so  as  to  increase  his 
bliss  in  heaven,  and  dwell  forever  amid  its  celestial  joys. 

How  the  generality  of  Christians  can  give  so  little 
thought  to  this,  is  indeed  a  mystery.  They  think  more 
of  the  worldly  goods,  honors,  and  pleasures  which  they 
may  gain  in  the  course  of  the  year  than  of  heaven,  one 
joy  of  which  by  far  outweighs  them  all. 

Thus  they  are  but  too  often  not  in  earnest  in  their 
resolution  to  begin  a  life  which  would  lead  them  nearer 
to  heaven,  but  are  content  to  live  as  every-day  Chris- 
tians, advancing  no  further  in  the  fervent  love  of  God. 

The  second  condition  necessary  for  arriving  safely 
at  a  desired  destination  is  health  ;  therefore,  whoever 
intends  setting  out  on  a  journey  must  take  ^11  possi- 
ble care  not  to  fall  ill.  This  indicates  an  essential  req- 
uisite for  a  happy  pilgrimage  to  isternity  ;  which  is, 
that  he  who  is  traveling  thither  must  preserve  his  soul 
in  the  state  of  sanctifying  grace — the  principle  of  the 
supernatural  life  of  the  soul. 

Every  mortal  sin  which  man  is  so  unfortunate  as  to 


SECOND    SERMON.  I  23 

commit  withdraws  this  principle  of  spiritual  life  from 
him  ;  therefore,  beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  if  this  day 
finds  you  in  the  state  of  mortal  sin,  cleanse  your  souls 
therefrom  by  a  good,  a  sincere,  and  contrite  confes- 
sion, that,  with  the  beginning  of  the  year,  the  grace  of 
God  may  enable  you  to  do  all  things.  But  merely  to 
live  is  not  enough  for  the  happy  ending  of  a  long  and 
perilous  journey,  especially  if  it  be  made  on  foot,  which, 
indeed,  is  the  most  fitting  way  for  the  pilgrim,  and  typ- 
ifies the  course  of  the  wanderer  whose  goal  is  heaven, 
and  who  must  proceed  step  by  step  alone,  depends  on 
health. 

Health  being  essential  for  a  safe  and  pleasant  earthly 
journey,  theapplicatk)n,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  is  this:  we 
must  not,  and  dare  not,  feel  spiritually  weak  and  ill,  but 
strong  and  resolute,  courageous  and  hopeful,  and  in 
these  dispositions  grasp  firmly  the  staff  of  the  path  of 
salvation,  never  looking  back,  but,  with  unshaken 
determination,  striving  to  advance  daily  in  the  way 
marked  out  by  Christ. 

It  is  also  necessary  to  provide,  in  time,  for  all  that 
will  be  needed  on  a  journey,  to  guard,  by  this  means, 
against  any  delay  on  the  road.  And  this  also  has  its 
application  in  a  spiritual  sense.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  year,  therefore,  it  is  well  to  make  firm  resolutions 
to  employ  its  every  moment  in  promoting  the  great 
affair  of  our  salvation,  not  losing  any  precious  time. 
That  we  may  be  able  to  do  this : 

Let  us  examine  ourselves  with  the  utmost  diligence 
as  to  what  may  have  caused  us  to  fritter  away  so  many 


1 24  FEAST    OF    NEW    YEAR  S    DAY. 

golden  moments  In  the  past.  Was  it  by  undue  anxi- 
ety as  to  temporal  affairs?  by  unprofitable  or  even  in- 
jurious companionship?  by  idleness  or  some  other 
cause  equally  hurtful  to  spirituality?  Oh,  what  a 
bright  era  in  our  heavenward  way  might  not  this  new 
year  become,  if,  as  its  days  roll  on  and  pass  away, 
we  would  not,  through  any  fault  of  ours,  lose  one  single 
moment  of  its  precious  time!  To  aid  us  in  this,  we 
should,  at  the  beginning  of  every  day,  make  an  inten- 
tion to  do  every  thing  for  the  love  of  God,  and  fre- 
quently renew  our  resolution  to  fail  in  nothing  which 
He  requires  of  us,  fulfilling  in  the  most  perfect  manner 
possible  all  the  duties  of  our  state. 

Yet,  beloved  in  Christ,  we  must  not  be  content  with 
this,  for,  whoever  wishes  to  reach  the  loftier  heights 
of  virtue  will  zealously  use  every  opportunity,  and 
even  search  for  such,  to  practise  acts  of  Christian  he- 
roism in  working  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  We  must 
be  fervent  in  prayer,  in  hearing  Mass,  in  the  practice 
of  spiritual  reading,  and  the  frequent  reception  of  the 
Sacraments.  The  more  use  we  make  of  these  means 
of  grace  during  the  present  year,  the  more  rapidly  we 
shall  proceed  on  our  heavenward  way,  and  the  sweet- 
er joy  will  constantly  animate  our  hearts. 

Happy  he  who  thus  proceeds  on  his  pilgrimage  to 
heaven.  He  feels  no  weariness  of  spirit,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  may  cry  out  with  holy  David:  "I  have  run 
in  the  way  of  thy  commandments  when  thou  didst  en- 
large my  heart." 

The  third  condition  necessary  for  a  successful  jour- 


SECOND    SERMON.  I  25 

ney  is  final  pe7^severance,  which  is  the  reward  of  cour- 
age and  fidelity  in  the  resolution  to  conquer  all  diffi- 
culties, impediments,  and  dangers. 

In  regard  to  the  way  of  salvation,  there  is  but  one 
impediment,  and  that  is  sin  ;  for,  whatever  others  may 
exist,  true  love  of  the  cross  will  not  only  overcome 
them  all,  but  transform  them  into  means  by  which  the 
goal  is  more  speedily  reached.  All  sin,  even  the 
slightest,  is,  and  will  ever  be,  an  impediment,  and  is 
so  conducive  to  everlasting  destruction  that,  by  listen- 
ing but  once  to  the  tempter's  voice,  we  often  entirely 
deviate  from  the  way  to  heaven,  or  at  least  retrograde 
sadly  thereon. 

The  cautious  traveler  looks  not  only  before,  but  all 
around  him,  in  every  direction  to  avoid  falling  into  any 
danger  which  may  lurk  unseen  ;  and  the  Christian  must, 
in  a  spiritual  point  of  view,  do  the  same,  that  he  may 
guard  against  all  those  temptations  which  lie  in  wait 
to  wreck  his  soul. 

Dearly  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  as  pilgrims  jour- 
neying to  a  heavenly  land,  make  good  use  of  these  rules 
which  I  have  laid  before  you,  during  the  year  of  which 
you  have  been  permitted  to  see  the  beginning,  and 
apply  them  also  during  each  succeeding  year  that  God 
in  his  mercy  permits  you  to  behold.  Do  so  with  ever- 
increasing  zeal,  with  aspirations  constantly  directed 
towards  heaven ;  then  you  shall  undoubtedly,  through 
the  assistance  of  the  Most  High,  arrive  at  the  longed- 
for  termination  of  your  pilgrimage,  the  true  home  of 
the  just — heaven !     Amen ! 


126  FEAST   OF    NEW    YEAR's    DAY. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

**I  am  the  Light  of  the  world." — John  viii,  12. 

BEHOLD  the  first  day  which  the  sun,  this  year,  illu- 
minates! How  noble  and  sublime  is  this  mag- 
nificent wonder  of  nature  !  What  untold  blessings  it 
diffuses  as  it  pursues  its  daily  course,  by  which  v^e 
compute  the  days,  weeks,  months,  and  years  of  our 
life!  Sending  its  rays  forth  over  the  visible  world — 
the  firmament  and  the  earth  on  which  we  live — the 
sun  imparts  growth,  fruitfulness,  and  color  to  all  upon 
which  they  fall.  Can  we  imagine  what  would  become 
of  us  were  the  sun  to  rise  no  more  ?  What  lamenta- 
tions would  be  heard  on  every  side  at  the  overwhelm- 
ing magnitude  of  the  calamity;  what  wretchedness, 
what  despair  would  seize  upon  mankind  at  the  entire 
overthrow  of  all  terrestrial  prosperity! 

What  the  sun  is  for  our  earthly  life,  for  its  constant 
welfare,  that  is  Christ  for  the  life  of  the  Christian,  in  the 
creation  of  grace.  He  diffuses  light,  life,  consolation, 
and  blessings.  Without  Him  all  is  darkness  and  de- 
cay; there  is  corruption  and  disease  of  the  soul,  hard- 
ness of  heart,  and,  at  last,  spiritual  death.  The  Church 
calls  Christ  the  *'Sun  of  justice  ; "  He  styles  himself 
the  "  Light  of  the  world ; "  and  this  will  decide  to-day 
the  subject  of  my  meditation  on  the  feast,  and  indicate 
at  the  same  time  my  heartfelt  congratulations  to  you 
all  for  New  Year's  day.     I  would  also  request  your 


THIRD    SERMON.  I  27 

particular  attention  to  this  sermon,  because  it  is  the 
first  one  of  the  year. 

May  Christ,  throughout  its  course,  as  the  Sun  of 
justice,  diffuse  for  every  oiu  of  us  i7i  a  spiritual  relation 
all  the  blessings  which  the  sun  in  the  order  of  fiature 
will  produce  on  eanth  ;  then  the  new  year  will  be  for 
all  a  source  of  grace,  and  each  of  its  days  will  bring 
us  nearer  heaven, 

0  Mary,  Aurora  of  that  day  whose  sun  is  Christ, 
Mother  of  Him  who  is  called  the  Light  of  the  world, 
obtain  for  us  the  grace  to  lay  up  rich  treasures  of  merit 
for  heaven  during  the  year  which  we  have  just  entered 
upon ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the  greater 
honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


The  sun  distributes  light.  This  is  his  essential  char- 
acter. He  is  the  star  of  the  day — he  it  is  who  causes 
day  to  be  day.  By  his  light,  which  so  radiantly  beams 
forth,  we  behold  the  things  around  us,  know  them,  esti- 
mate them  at  their  true  value,  and  apply  them  for  our 
own  use  and  benefit.  The  light  of  the  sun  is  particu- 
larly necessary  during  a  journey,  to  point  out  and  en- 
lighten the  way,  that  we  may  safely  walk  therein.  It 
is  precisely  the  same  for  us  in  the  kingdom  of  truth, 
in  regard  to  the  work  of  salvation,  with  Christ,  the  Sun 
of  the  spiritual  world,  through  whom  beams  forth  the 
true  knowledge  of  God,  and  our  relation  to  Him  as  our 
last  aim  and  end. 


128  FEAST   OF   NEW   YEAR's   DAY. 

Without  Christ  there  can  be  no  true  knowledge  of 
God,  of  ourselves,  or  of  the  road  we  must  take  if  we 
desire  to  serve  God,  if  we  are  resolved  to  do  His  holy 
will,  and  to  become  forever  blessed.  Without  Christ 
we  could  possess  no  knowledge  of  what  will  one  day 
come  when,  after  death,  we  shall, have  entered  upon 
the  mystery  of  eternity.  The  proof  of  this  is  to  be 
found  in  that  gross  and  blinded  heathenism  which  ex- 
isted both  before  and  after  the  birth  of  the  Redeemer ; 
but  still  more  in  that  night  of  gloom  which  weighs  upon 
the  spirits  of  those  faithless  Catholics  who,  false  to  Christ 
and  His  Church,  turn  away  entirely  from  His  vivifying 
light.  A  darkness  so  black  and  impenetrable  enshrouds 
the  spirits  of  those  enemies  of  God  that  they  go  far  to- 
wards denying  His  existence  ;  for  instead  of  rejoicing 
at  the  glory  to  which,  through  Christ,  they  have  been 
called  —  that  of  being  a  child  of  God  —  they  degrade 
themselves  to  such  a  depth  as  not  to  hesitate  to  pro- 
claim their  belief  that  their  remote  ancestors  sprang 
from  a  breed  of  chattering  apes. 

And  this  darkness  they  call  light !  Oh,  what  blind- 
ness of  spirit  exists  where  Christ  is  not!  On  the  other 
hand,  what  spiritual  light  and  knowledge  are  through 
Christ  shed  over  each  faithful  soul,  from  the  untutored 
savage  in  the  African  or  Australian  desert  to  the  most 
highly  educated  scholar  on  earth.  In  consideration  of 
this,  St.  Peter  spoke  with  perfect  justice  when,  in  a 
spirit  of  congratulation,  he  cried  out  to  us:  **  You  are 
called  into  a  wonderful  light." 

Through  his  word  Christ  lifts  the  vail  which  is  cast 


THIRD    SERMON.  I  29 

over  the  abyss  of  eternity  of  the  divine  essence  and 
nature,  and  we  confess  the  triune  God  in  all  His  glory 
and  majesty.  He  lifts  the  vail  which  hangs  over  the 
creation  itself,  and  we  are  enabled  to  give  an  account 
from  the  very  moment  when  the  world  first  sprang  into 
existence,  called  by  an  almighty  power  from  chaos  dark 
and  drear ;  we  can  tell  of  the  creation  and  fall  of  man, 
of  his  redemption,  and  of  the  way  of  salvation  which 
He  has  vouchsafed  to  us. 

He  lifts  the  vail  which  conceals  futurity,  and  we 
gaze,  in  the  light  of  faith  with  St.  John,  through  the 
"  massy  gates  "  of  heaven,  in  anticipation  of  that  which 
shall  one  day  come,  and  we  see  it,  as  St.  Paul  remarks, 
even  now  as  ''  in  a  dark  manner  through  a  glass."  For 
this  it  is  essential  that  we  confess  the  truths  of  faith 
not  with  the  lips  only,  but  ponder  on  them  in  spirit, 
and  try  to  live  in  accordance  with  them. 

In  this  year  upon  which  we  have  just  entered,  there- 
fore, may  thorough  instruction  in  the  truths  of  our 
holy  faith,  frequent  meditation  thereon,  and  loving  in- 
tercourse with  Jesus  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  shed 
over  our  souls  this  light  of  knowledge  which  is  the  gift 
of  holy  faith,  and  cause  it  to  grow  daily  more  and  more 
brilliant  in  them. 

God  said,  "Let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light.'* 
May  the  word  of  the  Creator  also  as  Redeemer  be 
accomplished  in  us  this  year,  in  order  that  the  all- 
important  affair  of  our  salvation  in  its  own  eternal 
greatness  may  place  itself  permanently  before  our 
spiritual  eyes. 


130  FEAST   OF    NEW  YEAR  S    DAY. 

The  sun  imparts  to  objects  their  natural  color,  and 
we  all  know  that  things  frequently  assume  quite  a  dif- 
ferent hue  if  they  are  illuminated  by  artificial  means ; 
but  let  them  be  subjected  to  the  light  of  the  sun,  and 
the  delusion  will  pass  away,  while  the  true  color  will 
be  visible  once  more. 

It  is  thus  that  with  dazzled  eyes  many  look  upon 
the  things  of  this  world  in  quite  a  different  light.  En- 
tirely given  up  to  the  spirit  of  the  world,  it  represents 
every  thing  to  them  in  the  most  fascinating  light,  and 
invests  its  joys  with  magnificent  colors,  which  in  real- 
ity they  do  not  possess;  yet  such  is  their  power  to 
charm,  that  even  a  Solomon  might  easily  be  deceived. 

The  light  of  the  sun  of  faith  through  Christ  will 
banish  all  delusion  ;  and,  vivified  by  its  warm  and 
genial  rays,  the  Christian  will  behold  in  its  true  light 
the  nothingness  of  the  joys  of  earth,  and  will  be  ready 
to  cry  out  from  the  depths  of  his  heart,  ''Vanity  of 
vanities!" 

The  sun  distributes  through  his  light,  also,  life, 
growth,  and  prosperity.  If  the  glorious  orb  of  day 
would  suddenly  cease  to  rise,  what  would  be  the  con- 
sequence ?  Intense  cold,  impenetrable  darkness,  and 
universal  desolation.  All  thought  of  seed-time  and 
harvest  would  be  at  an  end  ;  there  would  be  no  stor- 
ing up  of  food  ;  nor,  indeed,  would  life  exist,  for  death 
would  come  upon  the  world. 

By  the  vivifying  course  of  the  sun  the  face  of  the 
earth  is  renewed  each  year.  Each  germ,  each  blos- 
som^ of  the  coming  fruit,  as  well  as  its  gradual  growth 


THIRD    SERMON.  I3I 

and  final  perfection,  owes  its  existence  to  the  genial 
heat  which  the  sun  pours  over  the  earth.  Through  it 
the  air  is  filled  with  strong  and  vigorous  life  for  every 
creature  which  breathes  therein.  The  light  of  the  sun 
insures,  therefore,  in  the  kingdom  of  nature,  life,  fruc- 
tification, and  increase  ;  and  as  the  sun  in  the  creation 
of  grace,  Christ  exercises  the  same  influence  upon  our 
spiritual  nature.  "In  Him  was  the  Hfe,"  St.  John  tes- 
tifies, ''and  the  life  was  the  light  of  man."  He  it  is, 
as  the  same  St.  John  again  testifies,  "who  enlightens 
every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world." 

The  fall  into  sin  had  weakened  within  us  the  life  in 
God  in  its  supernatural  relation,  but  Christ  invested 
us  anew  with  the  right  to  become  children  of  God  at 
the  very  moment  when  through  Him  the  life  of  sanc- 
tifying grace  entered  into  our  souls.  He  it  is  also  who 
permits  that  we  in  our  different  states  of  life  comport 
ourselves  as  children  of  God,  bear  fruit  for  life  eternal, 
and  grow  up  in  His  imitation  to  that  standard  of  vir- 
tue for  which  we  were  sent  into  the  world. 

Christ  himself  places  clearly  before  our  eyes  the  in- 
fluence which  He  would  exercise  upon  our  lives  in  and 
for  God,  by  the  words:  "I  am  the  vine,  you  are  the 
branches  ;  without  me  you  can  do  nothing."  Do  you 
hear,  beloved  in  Christ  ?  Nothing,  absolutely  nothing 
meritorious  for  eternal  life.  But,  strengthened  in  Christ, 
united  with  Him,  we  are  all  permitted  to  say  with  St. 
Paul,  "  I  can  do  all  through  Him  who  strengthens  me." 

This  is  shown  in  a  most  wonderfully  clear  manner 
by  the  lives  of  the  saints,  those  true  children  of  light. 


132  FEAST    OF    NEW  YEAR  S    DAY. 

Let  US  therefore,  encouraged  by  their  bright  example, 
endeavor  to  walk  like  them  in  the  imitation  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  with  the  new  year,  and 
thus  arrive  at  such  an  intimate  union  with  Him  that  it 
will  one  day  be  our  privilege  to  exclaim  with  St.  Paul, 
*' I  live,  but  not  myself.    ...    In  me  lives  Christ." 

The  sun  affords  comfort  and  solace  to  man,  and  as 
soon  as  it  has  sunk  behind  the  western  hills  the  shad- 
ows of  night  gather  over  the  earth  and  envelop  it  in 
a  garb  of  somber  hue.  Trouble  which  befalls  us  dur- 
ing the  night,  always  assumes  an  additional  shade  of 
gloom  ;  but  when  morning  dawns  and  the  sun  sends 
forth  its  genial  rays,  the  sorrowing  heart  is,  almost  un- 
consciously, cheered  and  consoled. 

In  a  far  greater  degree  is  this  true  of  Christ,  the 
Light  of  the  spiritual  world,  for  without  Him  there 
can  be  no  solace  in  the  obscure  night  of  the  soul,  no 
mitigation  of  pain  in  this  valley  of  tears ;  but,  refreshed 
through  Him,  enlightened  through  His  word  as  to  the 
value  of  sufferings  patiently  borne  through  pure  love 
of  God,  we  are  permitted  to  sigh  with  St.  Paul,  in  ev- 
ery affliction,  "  I  overflow  with  joy  in  the  midst  of  sor- 
row." The  assertions  of  the  saints  in  this  regard  most 
unequivocally  prove  this,  and  the  experience  of  every 
one  who  knows  and  loves  Jesus,  and  is  resolved  to 
walk,  after  Him,  the  royal  way  of  the  cross  to  heaven, 
confirms  it  also. 

And  when  the  sun  shall  be  darkened,  and  finally  dis- 
appear, what  woe  and  desolation  will  break  forth  over 
the  whole  world !    Then,  however,  Christ,  the  Sun  of 


THIRD    SERMON.  1 33 

justice,  will  shine  in  the  full  splendor  of  His  glory,  for 
the  everlasting  joy  and  happiness  of  all  those  who  fol- 
lowed Him  on  earth  and  walked  in  his  celestial  light. 
But  can  we  picture  to  ourselves  the  reverse,  and  view 
in  spirit  the  gloom,  the  woe,  the  utter  desolation  of 
those  who  turned  away  the  eyes  of  the  soul  from  this 
Sun  ?  The  eternal  Judge  will  direct  to  them  these  ter- 
rible words  :  "  Depart  from  me  !  "  Everlasting  dark- 
ness will  cover  them  as  they  sink  into  the  abode  of 
never-ending  torments,  where  untold  misery  and  hor- 
ror dwell. 

May  Christ,  in  this  year  and  in  all  the  years  that  are 
to  come  for  us,  so  illumine  the  pathway  of  life  that  we 
may  follow  His  guiding  light,  and  at  last  behold  Him 
as  the  Sun  of  justice  in  the  kingdom  of  His  glory! — 
Amen! 


VIGIL  OF  THE  FEAST  OF  EPIPHANY. 


Note. — My  reason  for  adding  a  sermon  for  this  vigil  can  be  thus  ex- 
plained:  Every  seventh  year  it  falls  upon  a  Sunday,  upon  which  the  gospel 
of  the  vigil  is  read.  However,  I  give,  for  this  exceptional  case,  but  one 
sermon,  since  it  very  seldom  occurs;  and  this  one  will  treat  of  a  theme  re- 
garding which  every  pastor,  after  the  lapse  of  six  years,  should  speak  to  his 
congregation.     It  is  a  very  important  and  practical  one. 


*'And  he  arose,  and  took  the  child  and  its  mother,  and  came  into  the  land 
of  Israel." — Matt.  2. 

THREE  times,  as  the  Gospel  narrates,  an  angel 
appeared  to  St.  Joseph  in  a  dream,  and  spoke  to 
him  ;  and  every  time  he  immediately  complied  with 
the  injunctions  which  he  received — afid  was  silent. 

The  angel  spoke  to  Joseph,  but  not  he  to  the  an- 
gel, although,  as  St.  Chrysostom,  in  the  spirit  of 
wisdom,  remarks :  There  would  have  been  reason 
enough  for  some  words,  for  surely  the  dear  saint 
must  have  had  certain  questions  to  ask.  Even  Mary 
spoke  with  the  angel.  Joseph  remained  silent ;  and 
we  have  no  record  in  Holy  Scripture  of  a  single  word 
that  he  uttered. 

Mary,  together  with  St.  Joseph,  sought  the  child 
Jesus,  sorrowing,  and  found  him  in  the  temple.  The 
loving  mother  exclaimed:  ''Why  hast  Thou  done  this 
to  us.?"  but  his  foster-father  remained  silent;  and  it 

(134) 


VIGIL    OF    THE    FEAST    OF    EPIPHANY  1 35 

would  seem  that,  by  this  silence,  a  deep  mystery  of 
faith  is  implied,  in  perfect  accord  with  the  calling  of 
him  who  was  chosen  to  be  the  earthly  father  of  the 
Saviour,  and  the  representative  of  his  heavenly  Father. 
The  eternal  Father  never  spoke  to  the  human  race, 
since,  as  St.  Paul  says,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews: 
"So  God  spoke  in  the  beginning  always  by  his  angels 
with  men." 

So  He  did  on  Mount  Sinai,  when  the  law  was  an- 
nounced to  the  chosen  people  of  God ;  and  to  Moses 
in  the  burning  bush,  as  St.  Paul  also  says ;  and,  lastly, 
through  his  only-begotten  Son. 

Certainly,  in  this  regard,  the  silence  of  St.  Joseph 
can  not  serve  as  a  model  for  us,  but,  in  other  cases, 
which  very  often  occur  in  life,  it  can.  All  of  them  are 
contained  in  the  principle  : 

Never  to  murmMr  against  divine  Providence,  but  to 
bear  all  sufferings — whatsoever  that  God  sees  jit  to  send 
us — with  patience  for  love  of  Him. 

0  Mary,  mother  of  sorrows,  who  stood  beneath  the 
cross  without  a  murmur,  obtain  for  us  the  resignation 
of  thy  chaste  spouse,  St.  Joseph  ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  of  God ! 


An  angel  appeared  to  St.  Joseph  in  a  dream,  and 
bade  him  fly  with  Mary  and  the  child  into  Egypt ;  and, 
without  one  single  question,  he  immediately  arose  and 
departed  that  very  night.    And  the  same  spirit  of  obe- 


136  VIGIL    OF    THE    FEAST    OF    EPIPHANY. 

dience  continued  to  influence  him ;  for  we  read  of  his 
return  to  Palestine  as  soon  as  his  angelic  visitant  again 
appeared  in  a  dream  and  bade  him  retrace  his  steps. 

If  we  give  proper  attention  to  this  rare  virtue — 
silence — which  characterized  the  saint  whom  we  de- 
light to  honor  to-day,  we  will  be  inspired  to  accept 
lovingly  all  the  trials  which  the  Lord  pleases  to  send, 
and  bear  them  without  a  murmur.  That  St.  Joseph 
was  a  just  man,  the  Scripture  gives  unequivocal  tes- 
timony ;  and,  after  his  immaculate  spouse,  he  may  be 
considered  the  greatest  among  the  saints — a  distinc- 
tion which  he  merits  from  his  relations  to  Jesus  and 
Mary.  But  the  pure  gold  of  his  virtue  was  destined 
to  be  tested  in  the  crucible  of  the  weary  toils,  labors, 
and  troubles  of  life ;  and  his  silence,  in  every  phase, 
is  a  most  eloquent  proof  of  the  perfection  of  his  union 
with  the  most  holy  will  of  God. 

As  it  was  for  Mary,  so  also  was  it  for  him  the  favorite 
maxim  in  life:  ''I  am  a  servant  of  the  Lord;  may  it 
be  done  to  me  according  to  His  word." 

St.  Joseph  was  silent.  This  silence,  at  the  command 
of  the  angel  to  undertake  the  long  and  toilsome  jour- 
ney, proves  that  his  was  a  living  faith  in  the  disposition 
of  Divine  Providence,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  Lord  in  or- 
daining all  things.  He  neither  asked  nor  thought  why 
he  should  set  off  in  such  haste  to  Egypt ;  nor  whether 
there  could  not  be  found  a  place  in  Israel  where  he  might 
conceal  himself  with  Mary  and  the  little  Infant  with- 
out traversing  the  desert's  burning  sands.  He  neither 
asked  nor  wondered  why  the  flight  was  even  necessary 


VIGIL   OF   THE    FEAST    OF    EPIPHANY.  1 37 

for  the  Incarnate  Son  of  God ;  why,  since  He  was  God 
as  well  as  Man,  He  could  not  conceal  or  protect  Him- 
self; or,  by  a  sudden  death,  take  Herod  from  this  world, 
that  all  might  be  well.  Nothing  of  all  this  found  a  place 
in  the  heart  of  the  great  St.  Joseph.  No ;  he  let  God 
order  all  things  for  him,  and  thought  of  the  hidden 
counsels  of  the  Lord  ;  for,  as  St.  Paul  most  justly 
asks  :  *'  Who  was  his  Counsellor  ?  " 

He  obeyed  and  was  silent,  making  no  inquiries  as  to 
how  he  would  provide  for  the  holy  family  in  Egypt — 
a  land  where  all  to  him  was  new  and  strange.  He 
trusted  in  God,  and  hoped,  with  Abraham,  the  father 
of  the  faithful,  against  hope.  This  holy  silence  points, 
at  the  same  time,  to  his  deep  humility  and  self-denial. 
He  neither  asked  nor  thought  why  the  angels  might 
not  come  to  transport  him,  with  the  mother  and  child, 
from  Palestine  to  Egypt  through  the  air,  as  they  did 
with  Elias — who  was  conveyed  in  a  fiery  chariot  to 
heaven — and  as  was  done  with  the  prophet  Habacuc. 

The  Blessed  Virgin  was  to  ride  to  Egypt  on  a  beast 
of  burden,  while  St.  Joseph  was  to  walk  by  her  side, 
which  he  did  with  an  alacrity  and  pleasure  all  the 
greater  that  he  had  thereby  an  opportunity  of  prov- 
ing his  love  for  Jesus  and  Mary,  for  whose  comfort  on 
the  journey  he  evinced  the  utmost  solicitude.  He  was 
silent,  but  his  heart  conversed  with  God  in  those  unut- 
terable sighs  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  St.  Paul  expresses 
himself  in  speaking  of  the  hidden  life  in  God  through 
the  practice  of  prayer. 

The  silence  of  St.  Joseph  points  to  his  interior  con- 


138  VIGIL    OF    THE    FEAST    OF    EPIPHANY. 

templative  life.  Prayer  is  the  source  of  all  grace; 
speaking  of  which  St.  Paul  again  says:  "I  can  do  all 
in  Him  who  strengthens  me."  So  St.  Joseph  traveled 
in  silence  to  Egypt  with  the  mother  and  child,  and  in 
silence  he  returned.  What  a  lesson  for  us !  What  an 
example  to  imitate  !  Too  often,  however,  it  presents 
a  striking  contrast  to  the  general  conduct  of  Chris- 
tians. How  few,  even  among  the  children  of  the 
Church,  submit,  in  silence  and  with  resignation,  in  the 
trials  of  life,  to  the  most  holy  will  of  God !  and  how 
often  we  hear  the  most  unreasonable  complaints  from 
those  who  can  not  resolve  to  "  kiss  the  hand  that  smites 
them!" 

And,  worse  than  all,  the  wicked  murmuring  against 
God,  into  which  these  complaints  degenerate,  fills  the 
heart  with  despondency,  gives  scandal,  and  deprives 
the  offender  of  those  sufferings  which,  had  they  been 
patiently  borne,  would  have  one  day  changed  into  bright 
gems  to  adorn  a  heavenly  crown.  This  rebellion  is  the 
cause  of  our  frequently  committing  grievous  faults ; 
and  whence  comes  it,  then,  beloved  in  Christ,  that  man 
encourages  such  dispositions,  that  he  complains  and 
mourns  as  one  without  hope  ?  Because  he  does  not 
possess  the  virtues  of  St.  Joseph,  of  which  I  have 
spoken  to  you.  His  faith  in  the  all-disposing  provi- 
dence of  God  is  not  sufficient.  ''No  evil  in  the  city 
which  is  not  made  by  the  Lord,"  as  we  read  in  the 
Old  Testament;  by  which  we  are  to  understand  that 
whatever  happens  by  the  divine  permission  is  for  our 
salvation, — we  must  see  in  it  His  divine  hand,  and  bow 


VIGIL    OF    THE    FEAST    OF    EPIPHANY.  1 39 

to  the  most  holy  will  of  God.  We  are  too  prone  to 
look  upon  the  occurrences  in  this  world,  in  the  light 
of  the  present,  as  they  place  themselves  before  our 
eyes,  never  considering  that  the  Lord  has  ordained 
them,  in  a  most  wonderful  manner,  for  some  wise  end, 
hidden  from  us  at  the  time,  but  fully  revealed  at  a  later 
period  in  life.  Thus  what  we  suffered  so  keenly  from, 
and  what  we  at  the  moment  considered  a  great  evil, 
may  have  been,  in  reality,  sent  to  promote  our  eternal 
salvation  ;  but,  beguiled  and  deceived  by.  self-love  and 
self-will,  we  venture  to  challenge  our  Creator,  as  it 
were,  to  give  an  account  of  what  He  permits  to  befall 
us.  This  is  because  we  are  deficient  in  the  humility 
and  self-denial  of  St.  Joseph.  He  was  just;  he  was, 
through  his  relation  to  Jesus  and  Mary,  by  his  royal 
blood  and  freedom  from  all  personal  sins,  elevated  to 
the  highest  rank  in  heaven  above  all  the  other  saints. 

We  suffer  and  murmur,  yet  we  have,  perhaps,  com- 
mitted sins,  and,  it  may  be,  deserved  hell.  Happy  for 
us  if  the  Lord  changes  the  eternal  punishment  incur- 
red and  merited  by  our  mortal  sins  into  a  temporal 
penalty  after  the  guilt  has  been  forgiven. 

And  although  we  had  even  already  blotted  out  this 
punishment  through  penance  and  indulgences,  does 
not  God  give  us,  through  sufferings,  particularly  when 
they  are  unmerited,  the  most  precious  opportunity  to 
lay  up  the  richest  store  of  merits,  and  to  cast  the  great- 
est weight  upon  the  scale  of  heavenly  joys  ?  Think  of 
Mary,  herself,  who  stood  as  Queen  of  Martyrs  be- 
neath the  cross. 


140  VIGIL    OF    THE    FEASr    OF    EPIPHANY. 

Who  could  think  of  her  and  murmur?  Who  could 
behold  that  loving  mother  enduring  her  sorrow  in 
silence,  and  not  accept  their  trouble  as  coming,  not 
from  man,  but  from  God?  The  devout  and  humble 
Christian  will,  with  St.  Joseph,  thank  and  praise  the 
Lord;  for  the  more  patiently  we  carry  our  cross  in 
His  imitation,  the  more  like  unto  Him  we  shall  be- 
come— the  more  precious  shall  we  be  in  His  sight. 
Yes,  the  nearer  we  follow  Him  in  life,  the  nearer  we 
shall  be  to  Him  in  His  empire  of  glory. 

Joseph  remained  silent, — we  murmur  and  complain. 
Why  ?  We  are  wanting  in  that  spirit  of  zeal  in  prayer 
which  should  enkindle  and  increase  in  us  the  fire  of 
divine  love,  and  strengthen  us  to  suffer  even  with  joy. 
We  are  also  wanting  in  that  ardent  love  toward  Jesus 
and  Mary,  which  ever  reminds  us  that  they  walked 
first  in  the  royal  road  of  the  holy  cross.  Let  us,  then, 
suffer,  without  a  murmur,  all  that  Christ  is  pleased  to 
send  us;  for  He  often  rewards  us,  even  here  below, 
with  the  benediction  of  His  divine  love.  Child  of  the 
Church,  do  you  hear  this  ?  Oh,  what  a  day  of  grace  for 
you  will  not  that  be  upon  which  you  resolve  firmly 
never  more  to  murmur  at  the  will  of  God!  Oh,  may  it 
be  to-day !  What  should  particularly  encourage  you 
is,  that  there  are  but  few  who  suffer  with  patience,  and 
you  should  delight  in  being  the  one  to  give  an  edify- 
ing example. 

Consider,  finally,  how  quickly  and  with  what  deter- 
mination St.  Joseph  obeyed  the  command  of  the  an- 
gel.    The  Gospel  says:  "Immediately  he  arose  from 


VIGIL    OF    THE    FEAST    OF    EPIPHANY.  I4I 

sleep  and  set  out  upon  his  journey."  Might  he  not 
have  remained  sleeping  until  morning?  This  feature 
in  his  character  stands  in  strong  contrast  to  one  which 
is  often  prominent  in  the  life  of  the  every-day  Chris- 
tian. I  allude  to  a  fatal  delay  in  putting  in  practice 
the  resolution  to  do  good — to  lead  a  better  life.  Men 
make  resolutions  for  the  sanctification  of  their  lives, 
but  there  is  no  earnestness  of  purpose.  They  neg- 
lect to  fulfill  them  until  at  last  they  entirely  abandon 
the  idea  of  leading  a  better  life;  and,  instead  of  ad- 
vancing in  the  way  of  Christian  perfection,  they  re- 
trograde. Beloved  in  Christ,  resolve,  from  this  very 
moment,  that  it  shall  be  otherwise  with  you. 

The  Feast  of  the  Epiphany,  whose  vigil  we  cele- 
brate to-day,  most  beautifully  confirms  all  that  I  have 
said  by  the  example  of  the  holy  three  kings.  They 
also,  as  soon  as  they  beheld  the  star,  arose  and  set 
out  on  their  journey.  They  were  rewarded,  for  they 
found  the  Infant  God. 

Their  first  question  was:  '*  Where  is  He?"  and,  as 
soon  as  they  received  the  answer,  their  generous  and 
loving  hearts  gave  little  thought  to  what  Jerusalem 
might  think  or  say.  The  opinion  of  the  world  troubled 
them  not;  but,  firm  in  their  resolve  to  find  Him,  they 
followed  the  star.  Happy  for  you,  beloved  in  Christ, 
if  you,  with  the  dispositions  of  the  Magi,  prostrate 
yourself  before  the  Infant  Jesus;  and,  as  they  offered 
their  gifts  to  Him,  do  you,  from  the  depths  of  your 
hearts,  make  this  solemn  promise : 

''  O  Divine  Child,  from  this  very  moment  I  resolve 


142  VIGIL    OF    THE    FEAST    OF    EPIPHANY. 

to  accept  whatever  sufferings  Thou  dost  please  to  send, 
without  a  murmur ;  and  henceforth  to  fulfill  my  resolu- 
tion without  delay." 

This  will  be  an  offering  more  precious  than  gold, 
frankincense,  or  myrrh ;  for  it  is  a  holocaust  of  your 
love  to  Jesus  and  Mary,  for  the  greater  honor  and 
glory  of  God,  for  your  own  salvation,  and  the  salva- 
tion of  others.    Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  EPIPHANY. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

•*  We  have  seen  His  star,  and  are  come  to  adore  Him." — Matt,  ii,  2. 

THE  festival  of  the  Epiphany,  also  called  the  Feast 
of  the  Holy  Three  Kings,  is  one  of  the  most  an- 
cient feasts  of  the  Church  of  God ;  and  from  the  very 
earliest  ages  was  celebrated  with  special  rejoicing  by 
the  children  of  the  Catholic  Church.  We  find  the 
cause  for  this  in  the  fact  that  this  feast  is  associated 
with  the  remembrance  of  the  greatest  graces  in  which 
the  faithful  in  every  nation  of  the  earth  rejoice, — namely, 
their  call  to  the  only  saving  faith,  the  holy  Catholic 
Church. 

We  learn  from  sacred  history,  that  in  the  early  days 
of  Christianity  this  feast  was  celebrated  with  greater 
solemnity  even  than  Christmas,  the  birthday  of  our 
Lord  himself;  for  as  the  Church  exclaims  in  her  joy 
on  Holy  Saturday  :  '*  Of  what  use  would  it  be  for  us  to 
be  born  if  we  had  not  been  made  partakers  of  the  ben- 
efits of  redemption  ?  " 

So  might  we  cry  out :  ''  Of  what  use  to  us  would  it 

be   to  possess   all   the  goods   and  pleasures   of  the 

world,  if  the  grace  of  being  called  to  the  true  faith  had 

not  been  granted  to  us  through  the  mercy  of  God?" 

(143) 


144  FEAST    OF   THE    EPIPHANY. 

The  three  kings  with  their  attendants,  prostrate  at 
the  feet  of  the  Infant  Jesus,  were  the  firstlings  of  the 
heathens  who  acknowledged  Jesus,  and  entered  His 
Church.  As  we  reflect  upon  the  great  happiness 
vouchsafed  to  them,  the  question  forces  itself  upon  us: 
*'  Why  do  not  all  nations  likewise  enjoy  a  participation 
in  their  happiness?"    My  answer  is: 

''Because  they  do  not  look  tipward  with  the  same  love 
of  truth  to  the  star  of  the  Magi;''  and  this,  as  I  un- 
derstand it^  I  will  explain  to-day. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  heaven  and  earth,  Mother  of  the 
King  of  kings,  obtain  for  us,  from  your  divine  Son, 
hearts  deeply  penetrated  with  the  love  of  truth ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God! 


Christ,  before  whom  the  three  Magi  knelt,  calls  him- 
self the  King  of  Truth.  He  calls  His  kingdom,  the 
Church,  a  kingdom  of  truth  ;  consequently,  whosoever 
will  enter  His  kingdom,  and  find  therein  salvation 
must  love  truth  and  seek  it ;  then  he  will  find  it,  follow 
it,  and  through  its  influence  attain  salvation. 

It  was  thus  that  the  hearts  of  the  Magi  were  dis- 
posed ;  therefore  they  learned  to  know  Jesus  and  the 
truth  contained  in  His  Church,  to  live  in  her  spirit, 
propagate  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and  at  last  to  enter 
the  realm  of  His  glory. 

They  saw  the  star,  knew  its  signification,  and  fol- 
lowed it.    Why  ?    They  loved  tj'uth.     Had  not  this  been 


FIRST    SERMON.  1 45 

the  case,  the  annunciation  of  the  birth  of  our  Saviour 
through  the  star  would  not  have  excited  so  much  in- 
terest in  them. 

Had  they  not  loved  truth  more  than  the  goods  and 
pleasures  of  this  world,  which,  as  crowned  heads,  they 
possessed  in  abundance,  they  would  not  have  under- 
taken, at  the  cost  of  so  much  self-sacrifice,  to  seek  for 
Christ. 

But  they  were  more  interested  in  obtaining  the  truth 
of  salvation,  in  beholding  the  coming  Teacher  of  na- 
tions, in  learning  to  honor  and  adore  Him,  than  in  all 
the  treasures  of  the  world.  Their  resolution  to  search 
for  Him  was  sublimely  heroic. 

If  their  eagerness  for  knowledge  of  heavenly  things 
had  not  existed  to  so  great  a  degree  in  their  hearts, 
they  might  have  thought  within  themselves:  'Tt  is 
well  that  He  is  born ;  He  will  surely  arrange  to  come 
to  us  to  teach  us,  or  He  will  send  some  one  else  in 
His  place.  Besides,  He  is  still  a  child,  and  can  not 
converse  with  us,  wherefore,  then,  should  we  under- 
take a  journey  connected  with  so  many  difficulties, 
and,  perhaps,  expose  ourselves  to  the  derision  and 
mockery  of  the  people  of  Jerusalem,  to  whom,  it  may 
be,  the  star  did  not  appear?" 

All  these  circumstances,  however,  were  of  no  weight 
with  the  three  Magi,  in  whom  eager  desire  and  ar- 
dent love  overpowered  all  other  considerations,  and 
they  entered  upon  their  journey. 

The  three  sages  searched  for  truth  with  assiduity 
and  fearlessness.    "  Where  is  He  who  is  to  be  born 


146  FEAST    OF    THE    EPIPHANY. 

the  King  of  the  Jews?  "  Thus  they  inquired,  full  of 
confidence  that  their  search  would  be  rewarded,  let 
the  population  of  Jerusalem  think  what  they  would  ; 
let  them  mock  and  ridicule;  did  they  but  know  the 
name  of  the  place  where  the  Messiah  was  to  be  born, 
according  to  the  declaration  of  the  prophets,  they 
would  find  the  way  thereto,  even  if  they  could  gain 
no  companions  for  the  journey,  which  it  would  seem 
was  eventually  the  case,  as  they  left  Jerusalem  alone. 
The  star  again  appeared,  and  remained  over  the  place 
wherein  Mary  abode  with  the  child  They  fall  down 
before  the  divine  Infant,  and  oh!  with  what  joyful  sen- 
timents of  adoration,  love,  and  gratitude  do  they  offer 
Him  their  homage!  But,  on  the  other  hand,  how  gra- 
ciously did  the  new-born  babe  bless  them,  and  replen- 
ish their  hearts  with  the  power  and  unction  of  His 
grace  ;  how  did  it  strengthen  them  in  their  resolu- 
tion to  follow  His  Inspirations,  to  live  and  die  for  Him, 
and  to  spread  His  kingdom  among  their  people  all 
over  the  earth ! 

The  three  Magi  searched  for  the  truth,  found  it, 
and  returned,  obedient  to  the  admonition  of  an  angel, 
by  another  road  to  their  respective  homes,  thus  to 
escape  the  snares  of  Herod,  and  to  fulfill  the  will  of 
God. 

It  was  thus,  that  these  first  fruits  of  faith  in  coun- 
tries over  which  the  dark  cloud  of  heathenism  still 
rested,  gave  the  example  unto  all  the  children  of  men, 
how  to  know  Christ  and  to  enter  heaven.  And  what 
is  the  reason  that,  up  to  this  time,  this  was  not  done 


FIRST    SERMON.  1 47 

in  such  a  manner  as  the  mercy  of  God  intended,  for 
the  evils  of  all  mankind  ? 

I  answer  by  the  assertion  that  love  for  truth  is,  in 
general,  rare  among  men.  They  love  darkness  better 
than  light, — delusion,  which  flatters  them,  more  than  the 
truth,  which  points  to  the  exercise  of  duty,  which 
teaches  the  spirit  of  Christian  self-denial,  which  in- 
spires contempt  of  human  consideration,  united  with 
that  fidelity  which  assures  for  us  perseverance  unto 
the  end. 

The  gospel  for  to-day  affirms  that  Herod,  and  v/ith 
him  all  Jerusalem,  was  terrified  at  the  message  of  the 
three  Magi,  that  the  Saviour,  the  King  and  Deliverer 
of  the  human  race,  was  born.  Herod  was  afraid,  and 
trembled  lest  he  should  lose  his  throne.  The  scribes 
and  Pharisees  also,  those  whitened  sepulchers  of  evil, 
as  Christ  called  them,  instead  of  rejoicing,  were  filled 
with  alarm  ;  for  they  felt,  and  truly,  that  the  promised 
Messiah  would  penetrate  their  interior,  and  censure 
their  hypocrisy  and  malice. 

The  people  principally  ^imitate  those  who  have  the 
power  to  govern  or  command  them,  and  generally 
yield  to  the  stronger  will  of  men  whose  knowledge  is 
superior  to  their  own.  They  also  felt  disappointed, 
because  they  expected  an  earthly  Messiah,  who  would 
elevate  them  to  be  the  mightiest  nation  in  the  world, 
and  endow  them  with  all  temporal  advantages,  riches, 
and  pleasures.  Yet  now  they  hear  He  has  entered 
this  world  without  His  advent  being  perceived,  and, 
whilst  the  scribes  remain  in  entire  ignorance  of  His 


14^  FEAST    OF    THE    EPIPHANY. 

birth,  men  in  the  East  are  said  to  have  seen  His  star, 
which  nevertheless  was  not  beheld  by  a  single  person 
in  Jerusalem. 

Love  for  truth  was  lacking  in  those  who  thus  ex- 
pressed themselves,  and,  therefore,  they  remained  in- 
credulous and  indifferent,  and  did  not  even  trouble 
themselves  so  far  as  to  guide  or  direct  the  Magi  to  the 
vicinity  of  Bethlehem;  nay,  they  probably  regarded 
them  as  visionaries  and  dreamers.  Behold  here,  as  in 
a  mirror,  the  character  of  the  infidel,  especially  of  those 
who,  with  premeditation,  become  infidels, — who,  al- 
though born  of  Catholic  parents,  and  brought  up  in 
the  Church  of  God,  later  on,  play  the  infidel,  and  pre- 
tend to  waver  in  faith. 

Such  do  not  love  truth,  but  the  desire  of  their 
hearts  is  to  find  out  what  might  make  them  rich  and 
happy  in  this  world.  As  regards  their  duties  towards 
God — that  is,  with  respect  to  religion — the  generality 
of  men  are  satisfied  to  live  and  die  in  that  belief  in 
which  they  were  born,  and  do  not  inquire  whether 
their  religion  is  really  the  true  religion. 

Yes,  a  great  portion,  particularly  of  the  so-called 
learned  men,  are  afraid  to  recognize  the  truth,  that 
they  may  not  feel  urged  to  confess  and  live  according 
to  its  precepts.  And,  since  they  know  that  the  word 
of  truth  condemns  their  sinful  actions,  and  threatens 
them  with  terrible  chastisements  from  God,  they  hate 
it,  and  wish  that  they  could  totally  extirpate  the  king- 
dom of  Christ  on  earth.  If  they,  at  times,  arrive  at 
the  conviction  that  all  their  endeavors  in  this  regard 


FIRST   SERMON.  I49 

are  fruitless, — and  if,  at  certain  times,  the  voice  of  con- 
science whispers  loudly  that  the  threatenings  of  the 
Lord  might  one  day  be  verified  in  them  on  account  of 
their  infidelity,  then,  in  secret,  like  Herod,  they  trem- 
ble, and  a  fear,  which  for  the  time  can  not  be  stilled, 
fastens  upon  their  souls. 

Certainly  they  endeavor  to  appear,  with  all  this,  en- 
tirely different  from  what  they  are,  and,  therefore,  be- 
come hypocrites,  as  Herod  was.  They  assume  the  ap- 
pearance of  respecting  God  and  His  commands, 
Christ  and  His  doctrines,  but  their  actions  do  not  cor- 
respond with  their  demeanor,  for  they  persecute  the 
Church  with  the  direct  intention  to  destroy  her. 
Thereat  they  are  filled  with  the  suspicion  which 
terrified  the  heart  of  Herod,  that  the  Church  would 
be  dangerous  to  their  plans.  This  is  especially  the 
case  with  rulers  of  the  present  day  and  with  infidel 
politicians,  although  the  experiences  of  the  nineteenth 
century  should  long  ago  have  opened  their  eyes^  and 
forced  them  to  see  that  the  Holy  Church  not  alone  in 
spiritual,  but  in  temporal  affairs,  exercises  a  most  ben- 
eficial influence  upon  the  state. 

They  think  to  conquer  by  their  cunning,  just  as 
Herod  thought,  but  God's  providence  brings  them  to 
disgrace.  I  point  especially  to  one  propensity  in  the 
character  of  Herod,  a  fit  type  of  this  worthy  class.  He 
became  a  tyrant,  and  committed  infanticide. 

This  also  resembles,  especially  in  our  days,  the  con- 
duct of  the  enemies  of  the  truths  of  faith.  Such  men, 
if  they  succeed  in  grasping  the  reins  of  government, 


150  FEAST   OF   THE    EPIPHANY. 

proceed  to  persecution,  and  as  they  are  endowed  with 
an  evil  prudence,  they  recognize  that  nothing  can  pro- 
mote their  ideas  better  than  to  pervert  the  Catholic 
youth  to  their  dangerous  ideas,  and  seek  to  destroy 
in  their  hearts  the  life  of  holy  faith. 

Therefore  their  solicitude  to  impede  the  influence 
of  the  Church  in  the  education  of  youth,  with  which 
that  infanticide,  of  which  Herod  was  guilty,  is  not  to 
be  compared. 

Herod  benefited  the  souls  of  the  Holy  Innocents 
against  their  will,  whilst  the  Herods  in  our  days  cor- 
rupt the  youth  and  destroy  their  souls.  What  crime  ! 
Therefore,  children  of  the  Church,  thank  God  for  your 
call  to  the  only  true  Church — to  the  holy  faith !  Like 
the  Magi,  love  the  truth  with  all  sincerity  of  heart.  This 
disposition  of  heart  is  a  pledge  of  victory  over  Luci- 
fer, the  *'  liar  from  the  beginning."  Hold  every-where 
and  always  to  this  maxim  of  life  :  *'  Defend  truth,  and  it 
will  defend  you  and  save  you  through  Jesus  Christ,  the 
incarnate  truth." — Amen! 


SECOND   SERMON.  I5I 

SECOND  SERMON. 

"  Where  is  he  that  is  born  King  of  the  Jews?" — Matt,  ii,  2. 

IT  was  desired  that  the  promised  Messiah  should  be 
an  heir  of  the  throne  of  David,  as  the  Lord  declared 
by  the  mouth  of  his  prophets.  This  promise  was  also 
well  known  to  the  scribes,  for  when  Herod  called  them 
together  and  inquired  of  them  where  Christ  was  to  be 
born,  they  answered  without  hesitation  so  it  is  writ- 
ten by  the  prophet:  **Thou,  Bethlehem,  in  the  land 
of  Juda,  art  not  the  least  among  the  princes  of  Juda ; 
for  out  of  thee  shall  come  forth  the  Prince  who  shall 
rule  my  people  Israel." 

Even  though  Herod  already  reigned  as  king,  and 
an  heir  was  born  to  him,  nevertheless  the  sages  did 
not  hesitate  to  ask  where  the  King  of  the  Jews  was 
born.  Thus  they  addressed  him,  and  they  would  have 
inquired  of  him  in  the  same  way  even  if  Herod  had 
not  been  a  dependent  of  Rome,  but  the  most  pow- 
erful monarch  upon  earth,  and  the  Roman  emperor 
himself. 

For  what  are  all  the  princes,  kings,  and  emperors 
on  earth,  in  comparison  with  Christ,  the  heir  to  the 
throne  of  David,  the  King  of  angels,  to  whom  all  power 
is  given  in  heaven  and  on  earth?  And  furthermore, 
what  are  all  the  kingdoms  on  earth  in  comparison  with 
that  kingdom  ruled  by  Christ,  which  extends  over  the 
entire  creation^  and  whose  glory  has  no  end  ? 


152  FEAST    OF    THE    EPIPHANY. 

The  subject  of  my  c outsider ation  to-day  will  be  the 
royal  crown  of  Christy  and  the  character  of  his  eternal 
kingdom. 

0  Mary,  royal  Mother  and  co-regent  in  the  king- 
dom of  your  divine  Son,  protect  us,  that  we  may  be 
made  worthy  of  the  promises  of  Christ,  and  deserve 
to  reign  one  day  with  Him. 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the  greater 
glory  of  God ! 


**  And  I  saw  Him  ;  He  was  clothed  in  a  white  gar- 
ment, His  head  decked  with  many  diadems,  and  on  His 
thigh  were  written  the  words :  '  King  of  kings,  Lord 
of  lords.'  "  Thus  St.  John  describes  Christ,  whom  he 
beheld  in  His  royal  dignity  in  heaven. 

Christ,  as  God-man,  is  King,  as  He  himself  testified 
when,  in  presence  of  Pilate,  the  question  was  put  to 
Him — ''Art  thou  the  King  of  the  Jews?" — and  He 
answered,  "Thou  sayest  it."  He  is  not  only  King,  as 
the  heir  of  the  royal  family  of  David,  with  all  the  pre- 
rogatives enjoyed  by  other  monarchs,  but,  as  Jesus, 
He  is  the  King  of  kings.  To  Him  belongs  this  dig- 
nity and  honor  because  He  possesses  all  the  proper- 
ties of  a  king  perfectly,  if  we  consider  either  His  per- 
son or  the  nature  of  His  eternal  kingdom.  How  happy 
should  we  therefore  feel  to  be  subjects  of  such  a  King, 
citizens  of  such  a  kingdom  1 

First,  in  regard  to  the  personal  perfections  of  this 
King :  where  in  this  world  is  there  a  ruler  who  can  be 


SECOND    SERMON.  1 53 

compared  to  Jesus !  As  the  Son  of  God,  He  is  infinite 
Majesty,  the  Creator  and  Arbiter  of  the  universe.  As 
man.  He  is  the  noblest  creature  which  the  omnipo- 
tence of  God  ever  called  into  existence  ;  distinguished 
by  every  quality  which  can  adorn  a  ruler. 

If  a  ruler  be  distinguished  by  talents  and  knowl- 
edge, he  stands  before  his  people  as  the  most  learned 
and  wisest  man  in  the  whole  kingdom  ;  pre-eminent 
not  only  by  his  personal  dignity,  but  by  his  virtues  and 
exemplary  life  ;  just,  benevolent,  magnanimous,  be- 
nign, merciful,  and  full  of  sympathy  for  the  welfare  of 
his  people.  I  need  only  mention  these  qualities,  and 
every  one  who  believes  in  Christ,  who  knows  and  con- 
fesses His  name,  will  immediately  recognize  how  in- 
comparably great  and  divine  He  is  even  as  man,  sur- 
passing in  perfection  all  earthly  sovereigns. 

Yes,  even  as  man,  through  His  personal  union  with 
God,  He  is  the  omniscient  Son.  Before  Him  all  things 
are  manifest,  for  He  is  the  One  who  testifies  of  him- 
self: "All  power  is  given  to  me  in  heaven  and  upon 
earth." 

As  man.  He  is  the  One  of  whom  St.  Paul  testifies: 
''God  hath  exalted  Him,  and  hath  given  Him  a  name 
which  is  above  every  other  name,  that  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  every  knee  shall  bend  in  heaven,  on  earth,  and 
in  hell." 

"And  I  saw  Him  adorned  with  many  diadems,"  writes 
St.  John.  These  are  the  diadems  of  His  glory,  dignity, 
and  power  as  King  of  Angels  and  Archangels,  of  Princi- 
palities, heavenly  Powers  and  Dominations,  of  Thrones, 


154  FEAST    OF   THE    EPIPHANY. 

Cherubim  and  Seraphim,  and  King  of  all  saints,  ac- 
cording to  their  different  choirs. 

He  is,  besides,  the  incarnate  benignity  of  God,  as 
St.  Paul  calls  Him;  and  also  the  Judge  who  is  to  come 
one  day  to  judge  the  world,  and  who  will  be  ready  to 
share  with  all  upon  whom  He  has  been  able  to  pass 
a  favorable  decision  before  His  tribunal,  the  eternal 
joys  of  heaven.  Nay  more,  who  is  prepared  to  share 
with  each  true  child  of  the  Church  His  own  power  and 
dignity.  His  own  beatitude,  in  virtue  of  that  assurance 
which  we  read  in  the  Apocalypse  of  St.  John  :  ''The 
vanquisher  I  let  sit  with  me  upon  my  throne."  He  it 
is  who,  when  we  enter  into  His  kingdom,  will  confer 
upon  us  also  the  dignity  of  royalty,  to  rule  with  Him 
for  all  eternity,  as  we  read  in  the  Apocalypse. 

And  we,  the  ransomed  souls  of  men,  the  children  of 
the  Church,  and  citizens  of  His  kingdom,  are  permit- 
ted to  call  the  King  of  glory  our  Father,  our  friend,  and 
the  spouse  of  our  souls.  Oh,  what  happiness,  what 
honor,  what  glory,  for  time  and  eternity ! 

Not  only  do  the  striking  features  of  the  personality 
glorify  Christ  as  the  King  of  kings,  and  arouse  in  us  the 
desire  to  live,  to  fight,  to  conquer,  and  to  die,  under 
His  rule,  but  His  kingdom  likewise  stands  forth  as 
the  most  glorious  among  the  kingdoms  of  earth. 

A  kingdom  is  the  more  distinguished  the  more  ex- 
tensive it  is — the  more  countries  it  comprises,  the  more 
productive  its  sources  are,  to  support,  to  enrich  its  in- 
habitants, and  to  insure  their  temporal  prosperity ;  the 
more  beautiful  its  situation,  the  more  attractive  are  its 


SECOND    SERMON.  I55 

landscapes,  its  meadows,  its  suburbs,  and  all  its  nat- 
ural advantages.  Greater  dignity  and  importance  are 
attached  to  a  kingdom  in  proportion  as  its  inhabitants 
are  distinguished  by  their  accomplishments  ;  and  ac- 
cording to  their  strength,  stature,  and  civilization,  they 
appear  more  powerful  in  respect  of  other  countries. 

Such  is  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  It  extends  over  all 
the  earth  and  throughout  the  entire  heavens.  It  com- 
prises the  whole  world,  with  all  the  beauties  and  glo- 
ries with  which  God  has  enriched  and  adorned  it.  To 
the  number  of  its  citizens  belong  all  the  choirs  of  holy 
angels — those  innumerable  radiant  spirits  and  glori- 
ous princes  of  heaven  who,  filled  with  delight,  adore 
their  King.  There,  too,  are  all  the  blessed  saints,  ac- 
cording to  their  various  ranks.  In  this  kingdom  is  to 
be  found  superabundant  provision  for  every  means  of 
grace,  by  which  we  are  enabled  to  accomplish  all  for 
God ;  and,  furnished  with  them,  we  are  invincible,  and 
enabled  to  increase  each  moment  our  future  treasures 
in  the  kingdom  of  recompense.  Who  should  not  feel 
happy  to  be  a  citizen  of  this  kingdom,  and  endeavor 
to  spread  it,  in  order  that  all  the  souls  redeemed  by 
Christ  may  one  day  enjoy  this  happiness ! 

This  desire  becomes  more  ardent  on  account  of  the 
following  circumstances  :  The  kingdom  of  Christ  is  a 
kingdom  of  truth  and  of  light,  existing  to  make  man 
happy  for  time  and  eternity. 

In  opposition  to  this  stands  the  kingdom  of  dark- 
ness, the  kingdom  of  evil,  the  kingdom  which  inevita- 
bly drags  down  to  eternal  woe  and  misery  the  wretched 


156  FEAST    OF   THE    EPIPHANY. 

creatures  who  rally  round  Its  infernal  king.  To  this 
kingdom  Herod  belonged,  and  with  him  all  who  per- 
secuted Christ  and  nailed  Him  to  the  cross. 

If  we  do  not  belong  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  then 
we  are  subjects  of  that  kingdom  which  acknowledges 
Lucifer  as  its  leader  and  prince. 

Christ  said :  ''  He  who  is  not  with  me,  is  against 
me  ; "  and  the  consideration  of  this  truth  should  exer- 
cise the  greatest  influence  upon  our  lives  and  strengthen 
the  desire  to  belong  on  earth  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
that  we  may  one  day  share  in  heaven  in  the  kingdom 
of  His  eternal  transfiguration. 

The  condition  for  obtaining  this  is  that  He  who 
reigns  in  heaven  has  His  throne  in  our  hearts,  and 
that  He  directs  and  governs  them  according  to  His 
own  good  pleasure. 

Beloved  Christians,  that  this  may  be  the  case,  our 
hearts  must  be  so  adorned  as  to  be  a  habitation  wor- 
thy of  the  King  of  kings  ;  that  is,  we  must  be  in  the 
state  of  grace,  or  else  we  cease  to  be  zealous  children 
of  His  Church,  for  not  He,  but  Satan  will  erect  his 
throne  in  our  hearts.  Albeit  that,  to  all  appearances, 
man  be  a  child  of  the  Church,  still  Christ  does  not 
abide  in  his  heart  until  he  consecrates  all  the  powers 
of  his  soul  and  body  to  the  service  of  the  Lord. 

Christ  rules  still  more  royally  in  our  hearts  when 
He  governs  our  understanding  through  holy  faith,  so 
that  not  the  least  shadow  of  infidelity  nor  heterodoxy 
can  lead  it  astray. 

Christ  reigns  royally  in  our  will  when  He  directs  it 


^  SECOND    SERMON.  1 57 

according  to  His  own  good  pleasure,  and  we  do  not 
oppose  Him  by  placing  any  obstacle  in  the  way,  but 
render  to  Him  wholly  and  entirely  the  free  offering 
of  our  will. 

He  reigns  as  King  in  our  hearts  if  we  are  inflamed 
with  ardent  love  for  Him,  and  are  ready  for  any  sac- 
rifice which  we  may  be  called  upon  to  make  in  His 
holy  service. 

The  more  the  kingdom  of  darkness,  the  kingdom 
of  evil,  nowadays  endeavors  to  combat  the  kingdom 
of  Christ  and  to  promote  that  of  Antichrist,  the  more 
ardent  and  resolute  should  we  be  to  defend  and  prop- 
agate it.  All  depends,  as  we  are  forcibly  reminded  by 
St.  Ignatius  in  his  meditation  on  the  "  Two  Standards," 
under  which  leader  we  enlist.  The  one  is  the  standard 
of  Christ,  the  other  the  banner  of  Lucifer ;  and  whoso- 
ever does  not  fight  under  the  one,  enlists  and  combats 
under  the  other.  Upon  this  depends  where  we  shall 
one  day  stand  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ — at  the 
right  or  at  the  left.  Happy,  indeed,  for  us,  beloved  in 
Christ,  if  He  now  reigns  royally  in  our  hearts  ;  then, 
indeed,  after  the  battle  of  life  is  ended,  if  we  have 
lived  upon  earth  as  victorious  children  of  the  militant 
Church,  we  shall  be  gloriously  crowned  amid  all  the 
celestial  inhabitants  of  the  triumphant  Church,  where 
for  ever  and  ever  Christ  will  reign  as  King  of  a  glory 
which  we  shall  share  with  Him. — Amen ! 


158  FEAST   OF   THE    EPIPHANY. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"They  offered  Him  gifts  :  gold,  frankincense,  and  myrrh." — Matt,  ii,  11. 

AFTER  the  three  Magi  had  first  knelt  in  adoration 
and  paid  their  homage  to  the  new-born  King  of 
kings,  they  opened  their  treasures;  and,  according  to 
Holy  Writ,  offered  Him  the  gifts  of  gold,  frankincense, 
and  myrrh. 

At  the  annual  recurrence  of  this  feast,  beloved  in 
Christ,  the  meditation  upon  its  mystery  points  to  three 
circumstances  which  principally  and  powerfully  attract 
our  attention,  namely:  the  star,  the  Infant  (to  whom 
it  led),  the  three  Magi,  and  the  nature  of  their  offer- 
ing. Each  of  these  three  circumstances  has  its  deep 
significance  ;  and  this  year  we  shall  especially  consider 
the  gifts  of  the  three  Magi,  and  the  nature  of  their 
offering. 

This  consideration,  beyond  doubt,  deserves  a  par- 
ticular place,  since  the  feast  itself  signifies  the  call  of 
all  nations  to  the  Church  of  Christ. 

This  call,  which  is  most  intimately  connected  with 
the  salvation  of  our  souls,  pre-supposes  that  we  have 
not  only  the  happiness  of  being  exteriorly  called  to 
the  true  Church  of  Christ,  but  that  we  also,  as  her 
faithful  children,  live  truly  in  the  spirit  which  ani- 
mates her.  But  that  our  lives,  as  Catholics,  may  be 
indeed  modeled  according  to  the  Church,  the  character 
of  the  gifts  must  be  expressed  in  our  Christian  con- 
duct. 


THIRD    SERMON.  159 

/  will  prove  this  to-day,  and  that  through  the  gifts 
of  gold,  frankincense,  and  myrrh,  which  symbolize  the 
virtues  which  we  must  practise, 

0  Mary,  you  who,  with  the  warmest  feeHngs  of 
thanks,  accepted  the  gifts  which  the  three  Magi  of- 
fered to  your  Divine  Child,  look  graciously  upon  that 
which  we  are  resolved  to  offer  to  Him. 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


The  general  signification  of  the  feast  which  we  cele- 
brate to-day  is  well  known  to  us,  as  also  its  importance 
for  the  salvation  of  our  souls,  because  of  our  call  to 
the  true  faith. 

Let  us,  therefore,  from  the  depths  of  our  grateful 
hearts,  pour  forth  our  ardent  thanks  for  this  price- 
less benefit,  which  has  been  granted  to  us  in  prefer- 
ence to  millions  and  millions ;  yes,  we  have  been 
called  to  the  only  true  and  saving  faith  before  those 
nations  whose  people,  during  the  long  course  of  cen- 
turies, have  lived  and  died  in  the  darkness  of  error. 
But  let  us  not  forget  the  warning  of  the  Lord* 
*'  From  him  to  whom  much  has  been  given  much  will 
be  required." 

And  do  not  let  us  forget,  beloved  in  Christ,  that 
St.  James  cries  out  to  us:  "You  believe:  the  devil 
believes,  too;  but  show  your  faith  by  your  works." 
Christ  assures  us  :  "  That  the  children  of  the  house 
shall  be  cast  out  into  extreme  darkness." 


l6o  FEAST    OF    THE    EPIPHANY. 

From  this  it  is  evident  that  we  must  not  only  be- 
lieve, but  also  live  according  to  the  faith  ;  and  such 
a  life,  I  will  not  conceal  from  you,  must  bear  the  char- 
acter of  sacrifice,  as  every  thing  in  the  whole  order 
of  salvation  clearly  proves. 

It  was  decreed,  by  the  eternal  God,  that  man  was 
to  be  redeemed  and  saved ;  and  this  by  the  bitter  sac- 
rifice which  Jesus,  the  Incarnate  Son  of  God,  offered. 
His  whole  life  bore  the  character  of  sacrifice,  and  He 
terminated  it  by  the  sacrificial  death  of  the  cross. 

He  offered  it  already  on  the  eve  of  His  passion,  at 
the  Last  Supper,  in  an  unbloody  manner,  to  His  heav- 
enly Father ;  and  so  instituted  the  Sacrifice  of  the  New 
Law,  which  characterizes  and  includes  the  entire  di- 
vine service  of  Holy  Church. 

Sacrifice,  considered  in  general,  is  the  highest  act 
of  divine  worship,  as  is  shown  by  its  usage  even 
among  the  heathens.  So  much  the  more  necessary, 
then,  is  it,  that,  in  the  New  Law,  divine  worship  must 
leave  its  impress  and  character  in  the  life  of  every 
child  of  God,  in  imitation  of  our  Lord  and  Redeemer, 
Jesus  Christ. 

Those  whom  God  has  predestined  to  glory.  He  has 
also  chosen  to  become  like  unto  our  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour, as  we  are  most  expressly  assured  by  the  Apostle 
of  the  Gentiles. 

The  character  of  the  life  of  Jesus  was  essentially 
one  of  sacrifice. 

He  cries  out  to  all  mankind  :  "  He  who  will  follow 
Me,  let   him   take   up  his   cross   and   deny  himself," 


THIRD    SERMON.  l6l 

which  signifies  that  our  whole  Hfe  must  be  one  of 
self-denial,  and,  therefore,  of  constant  sacrifice. 

It  is  of  the  utmost  importance,  therefore,  that  we 
be  thoroughly  penetrated  by  this  truth.  The  spirit  of 
the  Gospel  is  arrayed  in  opposition  to  that  of  the 
world ;  and  the  character  of  the  life  of  a  worldling 
to  that  of  a  true  Christian. 

The  character  of  the  worldling  is  to  enjoy  himself 
in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  word ;  to  plunge  recklessly 
into  pleasures'  giddy  maze ;  to  satisfy  every  desire ; 
to  accomplish  all  his  projects.  This  is  the  creed  of 
the  child  of  the  world;  while  St.  Paul,  on  the  con- 
trary, cries  out  to  us,  in  a  far  different  spirit:  ''Those 
who  belong  to  Christ  have  crucified  their  flesh  with 
its  evil  desires." 

They  are  living  burnt-offerings  of  the  Lord,  and 
their  rule  of  life  may  be  summed  up  in  the  following 
words:  ''Lord,  I  am  Thine,  with  all  that  I  am  and  I 
have ;  all  is  dedicated  and  offered  for  Thy  greater 
glory." 

It  must  be  so,  and  can  not  be  otherwise  ;  for  we 
can  serve  God  only  in  the  spirit  of  self-denial  and 
self-immolation,  since,  by  the  fall  of  our  first  parents, 
the  law  of  the  flesh  and  concupiscence  have  been 
firmly  implanted  in  our  members  in  opposition  to  the 
law  of  the  Spirit. 

Therefore,  since  all  who  desire  to  belong  to  Christ 
have  to  live  in  this  spirit  of  sacrifice,  St.  Peter  calls 
the  Christians,  "A  priestly  people  " ;  and  those  who 
finish  their  lives  in  this  spirit  will  one  day  rejoice  in 


l62  FEAST   OF    THE    EPIPHANY. 

heaven;  for  St.  John  declares:  ''Thou  hast  made  of 
us  kings  and  priests." 

But  if,  in  the  second  place,  you  inquire  what  are 
really  the  most  proper  and  special  gifts  which,  as 
children  of  the  Church  we  are  bound  to  offer,  they 
are  symbolized  by  the  gifts  of  the  three  holy  kings. 

They  offered  to  the  Infant  Jesus :  gold,  frankin- 
cense, and  myrrh. 

I  apply  these  gifts  to  our  understanding,  will,  and 
heart,  which  are  dedicated  to  God,  and  offered  through 
our  faith,  as  children  of  the  Church,  through  our  hope 
and  our  love. 

This  oblation  of  the  life  of  a  true  Christian  pos- 
sesses, indeed,  and  that  in  the  highest  degree,  the 
qualities  which  characterize  a  sacrifice  in  the  service 
of  God  as  an  oblation  of  praise,  thanksgiving,  and 
expiation. 

I  prove  this  through  the  following  remarks:  Man 
is,  according  to  his  nature,  intellect,  will,  and  heart. 

The  intellect  is  the  power  of  the  soul,  by  which  we 
know  the  reality  of  things,  and  the  relation  which  they 
bear  toward  one  another.  This  faculty  of  the  soul 
man  offers  to  his  God  and  Creator  through  holy  faith ; 
for  holy  faith  places  before  him  the  truths  which  are 
above  his  comprehension.  He  believes  them  to  be 
true  only  in  consideration  of  the  infallible  truth,  which 
is  God  Himself  speaking  to  us  by  the  mouth  of  the 
infallible  Church. 

He  believes  these  revealed  truths,  although  they 
contradict  the   senses,  and   man  should,  by  force  of 


THIRD    SERMON.  1 63 

intellect,  be  utterly  unable  to  penetrate  them,  or  to 
prove  them. 

This  act,  therefore,  is  an  oblation  of  the  intellect, 
and  a  magnificent  and  precious  oblation  it  is.  It  is  by 
faith,  among  other  acts,  that  we  honor  God — the  gen- 
uine coin  or  test-metal  between  true  and  false  currency. 

The  will  of  man  is,  according  to  its  nature,  free. 
Naturally  its  desires  tend  toward  the  possession  and 
enjoyment  of  that  which  is  earthly ;  but  the  power  of 
holy  hope  imparts  to  it  the  wish  to  aim  after  *'the 
things  which  are  above."  It  draws  man  gently  on  to 
the  resolution  to  yield  his  will  to  nothing  whatsoever 
which  is  of  *'the  earth,  earthly";  but  only  to  fulfill 
the  will  of  God,  who  will  reward  our  obedience  and 
our  fidelity  with  eternal  bliss. 

This  oblation  is  symbolized  by  the  frankincense, 
whose  sweet  odor  ascends  toward  heaven. 

Our  hearts  feel  and  love,  and  naturally  incline,  to- 
ward creatures — toward  other  hearts. 

The  power  of  love  toward  God  effects  that  man 
loves  God  above  all  things, — every  thing  else  he  loves 
only  in  God  and  for  God ;  and,  that  he  may  one  day 
rejoice  in  the  eternal  possession  of  God,  he  joyfully 
resolves,  in  the  fervor  of  his  love,  to  sacrifice  every 
thing  in  this  world  to  overcome  all  difficulties  which 
are  an  obstacle  to  the  love  of  God.  Yes,  in  the  heat 
of  this  love,  he  desires  even  to  sever  the  closest  and 
tenderest  bonds  of  friendship  and  nature. 

This  oblation  is  symbolized  by  myrrh,  for  no  one  is 
able  to  lead  such  a  life  without  feeling,  in  regard  to 


164  FEAST    OF    THE    EPIPHANY. 

earthly  things,  and  in  the  combat  of  the  interior,  the 
bitterness  of  self-sacrifice. 

In  this  disposition,  the  faithful,  hoping,  and  loving 
soul  praises  and  thanks  God  unceasingly  by  her  life, 
which  is  dedicated  and  immolated  to  the  Lord. 

Well  may  we  rejoice  if  we  in  truth  have  a  right  to 
declare  before  Christ,  with  St.  Ignatius : 

''Take,  O  Lord,  all  my  liberty,  my  intellect,  my 
memory,  and  my  entire  will.  All  that  I  am  and  that  I 
have,  I  have  from  Thee.  I  give  and  offer  it  all  to 
Thee  again.  Give  me  only  Thy  love  and  Thy  grace, 
and  I  am  rich  enough." 

Such  is  the  gold,  the  frankincense,  and  the  myrrh 
of  our  dedication  and  oblation  to  Him,  the  Triune 
God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.    Amen! 


FEAST  OF  THE  MOST  HOLY  NAME  OF 
JESUS. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

Thoushalt  call  His  name  Jesus." — Matt.  i. 

HOLY  Church,  as  we  well  know,  reminds  the  faith- 
ful of  the  institution  of  the  most  holy  Sacrament 
on  Holy  Thursday,  but,  nevertheless,  she  celebrates  a 
separate  feast  in  its  honor,  the  Feast  of  Corpus  Chrlsti. 
For  she  wishes  that  her  children,  with  undivided  affec- 
tion, look  at  the  most  august  Sacrament,  to  pour  out 
their  hearts  entirely  before  Christ  in  adoration,  praise, 
and  thanksgiving.  This  could  not  be  done  so  per- 
fectly in  Holy  Week,  when  the  Church,  for  the  most 
part,  is  absorbed  in  the  contemplation  of  the  passion 
of  Jesus  Christ  and  His  death  upon  the  cross. 

The  same  is  true  of  the  feast  of  to-day. 

The  reason  of  It  is  this  :  The  feast  of  circumcision, 
by  which  we  are  reminded  of  the  glorious  name  of 
Jesus,  given  on  this  day  to  the  Infant  Saviour,  accord- 
ing to  divine  design  and  command,  is  at  the  same  time 
the  festival  of  New  Year's  day.  Now  Holy  Church  has 
great  reason  to  fear  that,  on  account  of  the  usual  New 
Year's  wishes,  visits,  and  amusements,  her  children 
would  be  too  much  distracted  to  devote  any  attention 

to  the  signification  of  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus,  and 

(165) 


1 66        FEAST  OF  THE  MOST  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS. 

of  its  relation  to  our  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  for 
time  and  eternity.  Therefore,  after  New  Year  she  cel- 
ebrates a  special  feast  in  honor  of  the  most  holy  Name 
of  Jesus. 

To-day  let  us  consider  the  answer  to  the  question  : 
What  has  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus,  in  its  full 
signification,  to  say  for  our  life  as  children  of  Godf 

0  Mary,  thou  who  with  thy  intensest  maternal  love 
didst  hear  and  didst  pronounce  the  name  of  thy  divine 
Child,  obtain  for  us  the  grace  to  receive  the  sanctify- 
ing power  of  this  most  holy  Name  upon  our  lives ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 

To  understand  the  full  signification  of  the  most  holy 
Name  of  Jesus,  in  its  practical  relation  upon  our  man- 
ner of  life  as  children  of  God,  we  need  only  reflect 
upon  the  different  names  by  which  Isaias  salutes  in  the 
spirit  of  prophecy,  the  promised  Child,  the  Saviour  of 
the  world.  He  says:  '*  For  a  Child  is  born  to  us,  and 
a  Son  is  given  to  us ;  and  His  name  shall  be  called 
Wonderful,  Counsellor,  God,  the  Mighty,  the  Father 
of  the  world  to  come,  the  Prince  of  peace." 

Let  us  separately  consider  the  relations  of  these 
different  names  to  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus  ;  they 
are  as  so  many  rays  which  most  brilliantly  encircle  it, 
that  we  may  be  enabled  to  fathom  its  full  significance. 

First,  Isaias  designates  the  coming  Saviour  of  the 
world  by  the  name  :  "  Wonderful." 


FIRST   SERMON.  l6j 

This  name,  beyond  doubt,  is  due  to  the  divine  Child 
Jesus,  for  it  points  to  the  wonder  of  wonders;  namely, 
the  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  it  is  precisely 
in  this  that  w^e  find,  above  all,  the  practical  bearing  of 
the  holy  Name  of  Jesus  upon  our  lives.  This  name 
requires  of  us  to  think  of  the  affair  of  our  salvation, 
and  to  live  so  that  we  may  happily  accomplish  it,  and 
be  saved  through  Christ,  once  to  triumph  with  Him, 
and  through  Him  forever  in  heaven.    . 

But  that  our  desire  and  efforts  in  this  regard  may 
attain  a  happy  result,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to 
struggle  and  to  bear  with  the  trials  by  which  God 
tries  the  sincerity  of  our  will  in  His  service. 

Again,  His  name  is  '*  .Counsellor,"  as  Isaias  tells  us. 
This  is  the  second  practical  relation  which  the  most 
holy  Name  of  Jesus  bears  to  our  lives,  and  it  implies 
that  we -must  seek  counsel  of  Him  in  reference  to  the 
state  of  life  we  are  to  choose  and  the  manner  in  which 
we  are  to  live  in  it,  in  imitation  of  our  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour Jesus  Christ. 

If  we  would  become  blessed  through  Jesus  Christ, 
it  can  be  in  no  other  way  than  through  constant  efforts 
to  model  our  lives  entirely  after  His  pattern.  And  as 
to  the  particular  virtues  which  we  must  thoroughly 
practise  in  imitation  of  Christ,  in  order  to  follow  Jesus, 
they  are  pointed  out  to  us  in  the  clearest  manner  by 
the  circumstances  in  which  the  divine  Child  entered 
into  this  world,  when  the  most  holy  Name  ''Jesus" 
was  given  to  Him. 


1 68         FEAST  OF  THE   MOST   HOLY   NAME  OF  JESUS. 

Humbled  to  the  form  of  a  sinful  child  of  man,  the 
Son  of  God  lies  in  the  manger. 

He  has  annihilated  himself  and  taken  the  form  of 
a  servant,  says  St.  Paul. 

If  we  desire  that  the  Name  of  Jesus  should  exercise 
an  influence  upon  our  lives,  we  must,  above  all,  go  to 
Him  for^good  counsel,  and  humble  ourselves  before 
Him  as  He  lies  in  the  manger ;  for  as  God  resists  the 
proud,  we  must  root  out  every  fiber  of  arrogance  from 
our  hearts,  and  endeavor  to  be  among  the  humble  to 
whom  He  gives  His  grace. 

Jesus  lies  in  the  crib,  poor,  without  possessions, 
wrapped  in  swaddling  clothes,  warmed  by  the  breath 
of  two  beasts  of  burden ! 

If  we  wish  that  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus  should 
-exercise  an  influence  upon  our  lives,  then  must  we  seek 
counsel  from  the  Child  in  the  manger,  and  learn  how 
to  disengage  the  heart  from  the  love  of  property  and 
possession. 

"  Ye  can  not  serve  two  masters ; "  thus  has  the  di- 
vine Child  already  admonished  us  through  the  example 
of  the  manner  of  its  nativity. 

You  can  not,  at  the  same  time,  serve  God  and  mam- 
mon. 

The  divine  Child  lies  lonely  in  the  crib,  whilst  Beth- 
lehem overflows  with  the  strangers  who  had  assembled 
there. 

If  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus  is  to  exercise  an  in- 
fluence upon  the  sanctification  of  our  lives  and  upon 
the  salvation  of  our  souls,  then  we  must  seek  counsel 


FIRST   SERMON.  1 69 

from  that  divine  Child,  who  will  tell  us  that  we  must 
avoid  that  unnecessary,  and  often  dangerous,  inter- 
course with  men,  who  are,  for  the  most  part,  not  filled 
with  the  Spirit  of  God,  but  filled  with  the  spirit  of  the 
world,  caring  little  for  their  salvation,  for  eternity,  and 
thinking  only  of  how  to  live  here  on  earth  as  happily 
as  possible.  Their  example  and  encouragement  are 
often  so  pernicious  that,  instead  of  following  Christ  in 
life  we  allow  ourselves  to  be  carried  away,  and  fet- 
tered by  the  yoke  of  the  children  of  the  world,  forget- 
ting entirely  the  obligation  of  living  a  holy  Catholic 
life. 

In  addition  to  this  there  are  many  temptations  and 
dangers  into  which  human  respect  and  the  fear  of  nian 
plunges  the  Christian,  causing  frequently  that  he  fears 
more  the  displeasure  of  man  than  of  God. 

The  Infant  Jesus  lies  in  the  manger,  shivering  with 
the  winter's  cold  upbn  a  bed  of  straw;  and  in  receiv- 
ing His  holy  Name  He,  for  the  first  time,  sheds  His 
precious  blood.  If  we  would  that  this  most  holy  Name 
should  exercise  an  influence  upon  our  Hves,  then  must 
we  seek  counsel  of  Him,  and  fully  awake  to  the  knowl- 
edge that  it  is  impossible,  without  the  spirit  of  self- 
denial  and  self-abnegation,  to  follow  Jesus ;  for  St.  Paul 
declares  that  all  who  wish  to  belong  to  Christ  have 
crucified  their  flesh  with  its  lusts;  and,  '* Whosoever 
would  follow  Me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  upon 
himself  his  daily  cross,"  are  the  words  of  Christ.  This 
means  that  we  must  apply  the  pruning-knife  in  ear- 
nest, cut  off  the  disorderly  desires  of  our  hearts,  and 


170        FEAST  OF  THE  MOST  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS. 

in  all  our  actions  go  for  counsel  to  Jesus,  and  imitate 
His  example. 

His  Name  is  God.  Shall  the  most  holy  Name  of 
Jesus  exercise  an  influence  upon  our  lives  ?  Then  this 
life  must  essentially  be  one  united  to  God  by  our 
walking  ever  in  His  presence.  It  must  be  a  life  of  in- 
tercourse with  God  in  prayer,  likewise  of  intercourse 
with  Jesus  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  that  we  may 
in  spirit  and  in  truth  enter  into  an  abiding  union  with 
God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

His  name  is  ''Mighty."  But  if  this  life  is,  indeed, 
to  lead  us  to  our  happy  destiny  and  end,  we  must  per- 
severe. 

''  Whosoever  perseveres  to  the  end  will  be  saved." 

It  is  particularly  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus  which 
will  instill  into  our  hearts  this  strength  through  the 
power  it  exercises  against  every  species  of  temptation. 

As  long  as  the  heart  and  the  mouth  call  upon  this 
most  holy  Name,  no  power  of  the  world,  of  the  flesh, 
or  of  hell  can  prevail  against  us. 

His  Name  is  :  "  The  Father  of  the  world  to  come." 

Do  we  desire  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus  to  in- 
fluence our  lives,  then  must  we  be  careful  to  *'  seek 
the  things  which  are  above,  where  Christ  abides." 
Your  conduct  be  like  those  in  heaven,  as  St.  Paul 
admonishes  us.  *'  Sursum  Corda."  "  Lift  up  your 
hearts,"  is  the  daily  admonition  of  our  Holy  Church 
to  her  children  by  the  lips  of  the  priests  at  the  altar  ; 
and  can  we  doubt  that  a  mind  fixed  on  heavenly  things 
is  a  mark  of  the  children  of  God  ? 


FIRST    SERMON.  I.7I 

The  child  of  the  world  seeks  only  what  is  below,  and 
longs  for  the  possession  and  enjoyment  of  earthly 
things. 

The  child  of  God  is  solicitous  for  that  which  is  to 
come,  for  the  bliss  to  be  found  where  dwelleth  Jesus, 
who  went  before  to  prepare  for  us  a  place  in  the  king- 
dom of  eternal  joys. 

And  how  could  one  lovingly  name  Jesus,  without 
thinking  of  that  heaven  which  He  has  already  entered, 
and  where  He  is  awaiting  us — He,  the  Prince  of  peace, 
who  conquered  in  the  battle,  and  gained  the  victory  ? 
There  is  only  one  impediment  in  the  way  of  salva- 
tion, and  that  is  sin, — for  its  characteristic  is  rebellion 
against  God. 

Beloved  in  Christ,  whenever  this  sets  in,  then  de- 
parts that  peace  which  the  angels  announced  to  men, 
at  the  birth  of  Christ ! 

Peace  with  God,  peace  with  ourselves  and  with  all 
men,  through  the  peace  of  a  conscience  free  of  sin. 
Behold,  then,  the  full  signification  of  the  most  holy 
Name  of  Jesus,  and  its  practical  influence  upon  our 
lives  as  the  name  of  salvation,  the  only  Name  under 
heaven  through  which  we  can  be  saved ! — Amen  ! 


172  FEAST  OF  THE   MOST   HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS. 

SECOND  SERMON. 

"He  gave  Him  a  name  which  is  above  every  name." — Phil,  ii,  9. 

BY  the  very  fact  that  the  Church  has  instituted  a 
festival  devoted  to  the  special  honor  and  glorifi- 
cation of  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus,  she  expressly 
gives  us  to  understand  that  she  sees  a  particular  means 
of  grace  for  the  sanctification  of  her  children  in  the  ven- 
eration of  this  most  holy  Name. 

This  Name  is  heard  daily,  and  that  not  once  only, 
but  again  and  again,  in  our  intercourse  with  God,  and 
is  so  essentially  the  Name  of  salvation  that  St.  Peter, 
in  his  first  sermon,  cried  out  to  his  hearers,  ''There  is 
no  other  Name  given  to  man  in  which  to  be  saved  than 
the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus." 

And  again,  when  speaking  of  the  Redeemer  Christ, 
St.  Paul  assures  us :  *' And  He,  the  Father,  has  given 
Him  a  Name  which  is  above  all  names,  so  that  in  the 
Name  of  Jesus  every  knee  shall  bend  in  heaven,  on 
earth,  and  under  the  earth  ;  "  and  **  every  tongue  shall 
confess  that  Christ  has  entered  into  the  glory  of  the 
Father." 

No  doubt,  the  greater  the  reverence  and  devotion 
we  bear  towards  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus,  the 
m^ore  abundant  will  be  our  share  of  all  the  graces  and 
blessings  which  are  connected  with  this  holy  Name. 
The  more  brightly  the  light  of  faith  burns  within  our 
hearts,  the  stronger  we  shall  feel  in  the  service  of  God, 
and  the  greater  will  be  the  degree  of  courage  and  con- 


SECOND    SERMON.  I  75 

solation,  which  fills  us  as  children  of  God,  to  accom- 
plish in  the  strength  of  this  most  holy  Name  the  great 
affair  of  salvation. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  grace,  grant  that  we  may  ever 
call  upon  the  most  holy  Name  of  thy  divine  Son  in 
union  with  the  affections  of  thy  heart. 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the  greater 
glory  of  God ! 

*'  He  gave  Him  a  Name  which  is  exalted  above  every 
name,"  as  St.  Paul  assures  us,  and  we  know  full  well 
that  it  is  true.  Consider  the  circumstances  which  serve 
to  make  a  name  honorable  and  glorious,  and  then  ap- 
ply them  to  the  most  holy  Name  of  Jesus.  The  name 
is  the  designation  of  the  bearer,  and  is  therefore  the 
reflection  of  his  dignity,  rights,  qualities,  and  deeds ; 
and  it  is  for  this  reason  that  Holy  Scripture  values  so 
highly  the  names  of  different  persons  who  stand  in  an 
especial  relation  to  the  kingdom  of  God. 

"What  is  thy  name?"  thus  asked  Moses  of  the 
Lord,  who  spoke  to  him  from  out  the  burning  bush, 
and  the  answer  he  received  runs  thus :  **  I  am — who 
am."  This  is  my  Name.  The  one  who  is  the  first  be- 
ing, to  whom  all  other  beings  owe  their  existence ; 
that  one  am  I.  Jehovah  is  the  Name  by  which  the 
children  of  Israel  are  to  call  Me ;  hence  also  the  pre- 
cept :  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  Name  of  the  Lord  thy 
God  in  vain,  but  think  who  it  is, — what  a  being  you 
name,  when  your  lips  pronounce  the  Name  of  God. 


174        FEAST  OF  THE   MOST  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS. 

The  same  is  true  of  men  whom  God  has  sent  espe- 
cially for  the  propagation  of  His  kingdom  on  earth. 
God  Himself  gave  to  Adam  and  Eve,  our  first  parents, 
their  names.  He  called  Abraham  *'  Father  of  the  faith- 
ful." An  angel  declared  by  what  name  the  precursor 
of  Christ  should  be  called,  and  of  Christ  Himself  the 
angel  asserts:  "Thou  shalt  call  his  Name  Jesus,  a 
Name  which  is  named  sooner  in  heaven  than  on  earth." 

So  much  by  way  of  preface.  Let  us  now  consider 
the  various  circumstances  of  the  persons  who  are  ele- 
vated and  made  worthy  of  respect  by  their  names. 

The  first  circumstance  which  distinguishes  a  name 
is  that  it  is  an  indication  of  the  dignity  of  the  person 
who  bears  it.  To  prove  this  we  need  only  look  around 
us  in  every-day  life. 

Among  men  there  are  families  distinguished  by  the 
rank  which  belongs  to  them  in  the  order  of  society. 
Such  are:  count,  duke,  prince,  emperor  or  king.  To 
the  question,  What  is  their  name  ?  the  answer  is  indic- 
ative of  much ;  and  if  it  be  the  name  of  an  illustrious 
noble  family,  how  greatly  does  it  contribute  that  all  the 
members  of  that  family  receive  the  most  deferential 
and  distinguished  treatment.  What  reverence  should 
then  penetrate  our  hearts  when  we  pronounce  the 
most  holy  Name  of  Jesus !  For  who  is  He  that  is  des- 
ignated by  this  name  ?  What  is  the  rank  of  Him  who 
bears  it,  in  the  order  of  the  creatures  which  God  called 
into  existence  ?  I  say  in  answer  that  the  Name  of  Jesus 
is  the  Name  of  the  Incarnate  Son  of  God.  Tt  is  there- 
fore the  Name  of  the  infinite  majesty  of  the  Incarnate 


SECOND    SERMON.  I  75 

Son  considered  as  God,  before  whom  the  Seraphim 
of  heaven  intone  with  unceasing  adoration  the  cry, 
-Holy,  holy,  holy!" 

But  it  is  at  the  same  time  the  Name  of  one  who,  as 
man,  declares:  "All  power  is  given  to  me  in  heaven 
and  on  earth."  It  is  the  Name  of  the  one  who  says : 
**  Through  me  rule  the  rulers."  It  is  the  Name  of  the 
one  whom  St.  John  beheld  adorned  with  many  diadems, 
and  the  loins  girded  with  the  inscription:  '*  A  King  of 
kings,  a  Ruler  of  rulers." 

It  is  at  the  same  time  the  Name  of  the  King  of  all  the 
choirs  of  holy  angels,  in  whose  glory  we  view  the  prerog- 
atives of  those  choirs  royally  glorified.  It  is  the  Name 
of  the  King  of  all  saints  according  to  their  choirs,  whose 
pre-eminence  we  also  behold  royally  glorified  in  Him. 

I  repeat,  what  reverence,  therefore,  should  fill  our 
hearts  when  we  pronounce  this  most  holy  Name ! 

Besides  descent  or  origin,  the  name  indicates  pos- 
session and  power.  The  greater  and  more  ancient  a 
kingdom  is,  the  more  subjects  it  numbers,  the  richer 
and  the  more  fruitful  it  is,  the  more  majestical  and 
glorious  sounds  the  name  of  the  ruler  who  governs 
it  as  king. 

How  different  is  the  respect  paid  to  the  name  which 
merely  indicates  the  ruler  of  some  petty  princedom, 
from  the  homage  elicited  by  the  name  of  an  emperor 
over  whose  dominions  the  sun  neither  rises  nor  sets 
at  once,  because  it  extends  over  the  entire  earth,  as 
/was  the  case  with  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  But,  nev- 
ertheless, how  insignificant  appear  all  the  empires  of 


176         FEAST  OF  THE   MOST  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS. 

this  world  in  comparison  with  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
which  began  with  the  probation  of  the  angels,  and 
comprises  heaven  and  earth,  the  visible  and  invisible 
world. 

And  what  shall  we  say  of  the  multitude  of  subjects 
which  it  contains?  On  earth  all  the  nations  which, 
by  their  faith  and  their  hope  in  Christ,  have  entered 
His  Church,  in  heaven  all  the  myriads  of  angels  ac- 
cording to  their  choirs,  acknowledge  its  sway. 

In  regard  to  the  power  of  His  kingdom,  it  is  sure 
of  victory  and  immovable  through  Him  who  confesses 
of  Himself:  "The  power  given  to  me  by  my  Father  is 
greater  than  all  I  have  conquered." 

What  invests  a  name  with  splendor,  are  the  talents, 
the  noble  deeds,  the  battles,  the  conquests  of  the  one 
who  bears  it ;  wherefore  the  names  of  great  and  learned 
men,  artists,  authors,  heroes,  and  conquerors  are  still 
illustrious  even  after  the  lapse  of  many  centuries. 

Let  us  apply  all  this  to  the  magnificence  of  the  most 
holy  Name  of  Jesus.  It  is  the  Name  of  Him  who  said 
of  Himself:  ''Here  is  more  than  Solomon."  It  is  the 
Name  of  Him  whom  Holy  Scripture  calls  the  Lord  of 
science ;  and  how  many  and  what  great  things  has  this 
Name  already  effected  on  earth  ! 

What  would  be  our  life  on  this  earth  if  the  most 
sweet  Name  of  Jesus  had  remained  obscure  and  un- 
known to  us?  It  would  be  a  life  of  darkness  and  ieno- 
ranee  in  matters  of  salvation  ;  a  life  of  moral  debility ; 
a  life  of  slavery  to  our  predominant  passion  ;  a  life  of  \ 
disgrace,  fettered  by  the  chains  of  sin ;  a  life  without 


SECOND    SERMON.  l^] 

consolation  In  sufferings,  and  full  of  despair  for  all 
eternity. 

But  now  there  is  for  all  who  are  of  good  will  and 
call  upon  and  confess  this  Name,  light,  strength,  cour- 
age, and  consolation  in  the  Lord  ;  and  as  yet,  all  has 
not  been  revealed  of  the  kingdom  of  glory,  the  power 
and  unQtion  into  which  this  most  holy  Name  will  lead 
us.  All  these  are  rays  of  glory,  which  exalt  this  sweet 
and  consoling,  this  holy  and  sanctifying  Nam^. 

Thirdly,  what  glorifies  a  name,  are  the  virtues  which 
adorn  the  character  of  the  one  it  designates. 

Oh,  what  a  holy  Name  is  the  name  of  Jesus !  It  is 
the  Name  of  the  Incarnate  sanctity.  It  is  the  Name 
of  the  Redeemer  of  humanity,  and  the  fruits  of  the 
Redemption,  the  holy  Sacraments,  every  prayer  we 
utter,  and  the  merits  of  every  good  work  we  perform, 
are  all  imparted  to  man  through  the  power  and  unc- 
tion of  this  Name. 

*'  Whatsoever  you  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  Name, 
He  will  give  to  you."  So  we  are  assured  by  Jesus  him- 
self. This  Name  is  the  seal  which  renders  our  works 
meritorious  for  heaven,  if  we  perform  them  in  imita- 
tion of  the  Lord,  according  to  His  most  holy  will  and 
with  the  assistance  of  His  grace. 

Whatsoever  has  in  this  regard  been  performed  of 
good  and  meritorious  works  for  heaven  or  for  the  glo- 
rification of  God,  throughout  all  ages,  and  will  yet  be 
done  to  the  end  of  the  world  in  the  kingdom  of  grace, 
are  rays  of  the  glory  which  surrounds  the  most  holy 
Name  of  Jesus. 


178         FEAST  OF  THE  MOST  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS. 

But,  more  than  all,  what  rays  of  consolation  does 
this  Name  send  into  our  hearts  when  God  visits  us 
with  trials  and  proves  us  by  sufferings !  Therefore 
when,  on  the  day  of  Judgment,  the. cross  shall  shine  in 
all  its  solemn  grandeur  in  the  firmament,  how  great 
will  then  be  the  glory  which  will  irradiate  the  most 
holy  Name  of  Jesus  when  all  heaven  will  give  honor 
to  the  Triune  God  as  Creator  and  Redeemer,  in  the 
Name  of  Jesus,  in  adoration  and  thankfulness,  for  ever 
and  ever! — Amen! 


THIRD    SERMON.  1 79 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"Thy  name  is  like  oil  poured  out." — Cant.  I. 

''PHE  Church  celebrates  a  special  festival  for  the 
JL  glorification  of  the  sacred  Name  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  This  is  salutary  and  right,  for 
it  is  the  Name  of  the  Redeemer  of  the  world ;  and, 
therefore,  with  regard  to  its  relation  to  Him  who 
bears  it,  and  to  the  work  He  accomplished,  it  is  a 
most  solemn,  mighty,  holy,  sanctifying,  sweet  and 
consoling  Name.  But  the  most  important  point  in 
its  consideration  is  that  it  exercises  a  powerful  influ- 
ence upon  our  lives  as  children  of  God  and  His  Holy 
Church. 

But,  to  denote  more  clearly  the  person  of  the  Re- 
deemer, and  what  He  accomplished  by  the  institution 
of  His  Church,  we  add,  according  to  the  direction  of 
Holy  Scripture,  to  this  Name  still  another,  namely, 
Christ.  We  should  frequently  think  of  the  significa- 
tion of  this  Name  and  its  relation  to  us;  for  after  it 
we  are  called,  in  imitation  of  Christ,  and  as  members 
of  His  Church,  Christians.  It  can  be  said  of  this 
holy  Name,  as  well  as  of  the  name  Jesus,  that  it  is 
a  most  holy,  solemn,  mighty,  sanctifying,  and  consol- 
ing Name,  admirably  qualified  to  exercise  an  influence 
upon  our  lives,  that  we  may  not  only  call  ourselves 
disciples  of  Jesus  and  of  His  Church,  but  also  live 
as  sucL 

/  will,  therefore,  speak  to-day  of  the  dignity  of  the 


l8o         FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY    NAME    OF    JESUS. 

Name  to  be  called  a   Christian ^  and  of  the  influence 
which  that  Name  should  exercise  upon  our  lives, 

0  Mary,  help  of  Christians,  protectress  of  the  Catho- 
Hc  Church,  assist  us,  that  we  may  not  merely  be  called 
Christians,  but  may  also  live  as  such ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God  ! 


As  we  read  the  acts  of  the  martyrs,  we  see  that, 
at  the  time  of  the  persecution  of  Diocletian,  Chris- 
tians, in  the  bright  light  of  day,  walked  in  the  public 
streets  having  plates  on  their  foreheads,  on  which 
were  inscribed  the  words  :  ''I  am  a  Christian." 

This  confession  was  to  remind  the  persecutors  of 
the  Church  how  useless  it  was  to  induce  the  faith- 
ful— -who  knew  what  the  name  Christian  signified, 
and  what  relation  it  bore  to  the  name  of  Christ  Him- 
self— to  apostatize  from  the  true  faith. 

To  understand  this  more  clearly,  we  need  only  first 
think  of  the  glorification  which  is  due  to  the  Name  of 
Jesus ;  and  consider  how  all  the  circumstances,  which 
elevate  it  to  such  a  dignity,  and  surround  it  with  the 
light  of  glory,  refer  also  in  manner  and  degree  to  the 
name  "Christian,"  which  we  bear  as  children  of  His 
Church. 

I  say,  first,  the  Name  of  Jesus  is  a  most  solemn 
Name,  which,  as  the  angel  said  to  St.  Joseph,  was 
sooner  named  in  heaven  than  on  earth.  It  is  the 
Name  of  the  Incarnate  Son  of  God. 


THIRD    SERMON.  l8l 

The  name  Christian  is  also  a  name  which  was 
sooner  named  in  heaven  than  it  was  bestowed  upon 
man  on  earth.  There  was  indeed  no  necessity  that  we 
should  receive  the  happiness  of  being  children  of  the 
true  Church  of  Christ.  For  this  great  privilege  we 
are  indebted  to  the  decree  of  the  love  and  mercy  of 
God,  who,  from  all  eternity,  ordained  that  we  should 
be  born  of  Catholic  parents ;  or  else,  enlightened  and 
encouraged  by  the  assistance  of  God,  receive  grace  to 
become  children  of  the  Holy  Church.  We  shall  the 
better  estimate  this  happiness,  if  we  think  of  the  mul- 
titude of  men  throughout  the  world  who  lived  before 
Christ,  are  now  living,  and  will  yet  live  in  the  future, 
without  ever  attaining  it. 

Yes,  a  precious,  a  glorious  and  gracious  name  is  the 
name  of  Christian. 

The  name  Jesus  is  the  Name  of  the  Son  of  God, 
who  became  Man  for  us,  and  the  name  Christian  is 
that  of  the  children  of  God  ;  it  was  imparted  to  us 
at  baptism,  through  which  we  were  regenerated,  as 
children  of  the  Church,  and,  at  the  same  time,  as 
children  of  our  Father  in  heaven. 

The  name  of  Jesus  is  glorious,  through  the  prop- 
erties of  the  person  and  dignity  of  Christ  and  His 
kingdom.  All  these  circumstances  are  so  many  rays 
which  glorify  the  name  of  *'  Christian  "  before  the  face 
of  heaven  and  earth. 

The  name  Christian  indicates  an  extremely  high  and 
glorious  position,  which  we  maintain  among  the  creat- 
ures of  God ;  for,  as  Christians,  we  are  changed  from 


1 82       FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY    NAME    OF    JESUS. 

children  and  slaves  of  Satan  into  children  of  God, — 
citizens  of  the  heavenly  Jerusalem, — fellow-citizens  of 
the  angels,  and  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  saints.  We 
are  permitted  to  call  Mary,  the  Queen  of  heaven,  our 
Mother;  and  Jesus,  who  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  His 
Father,  our  Brother.  Through  baptism,  by  which  the 
name  *'  Christian  "  is  imparted  to  us,  we  enter  into  the 
visible  kingdom  of  Christ  upon  earth ;  enjoy,  with  Holy 
Church,  her  victories  and  triumphs,  and  attain  to  the 
possession  of  the  infinite  merits  of  our  Lord  and  Re- 
deemer Jesus  Christ,  who  deposits  them  in  the  treas- 
ury of  the  Church, — yes,  we  even  attain  to  the  per- 
sonal possession  of  Christ  Himself,  in  the  most  august 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar. 

The  happiness  of  being  a  Christian  gives  us,  at  the 
same  time,  the  right  to  become  heirs  of  heaven,  and 
one  day  to  enter  into  it,  body  and  soul,  to  dwell  for- 
ever there.  Not  only  this ;  but  this  Name,  if  we  live 
accordingly,  gives  us  power  to  elevate  our  thrones  in 
heaven  always  higher  and  higher,  by  the  good  works 
which  we  perform  on  earth  in  the  state  of  grace,  and 
to  gather  always  more  and  more  treasures,  and  so  be- 
come richer  and  richer  for  eternity. 

What  a  great  happiness  to  be  a  Christian  ! 

But,  in  order  to  reign  one  day  royally  with  Christ  in 
the  strength  of  His  Name,  we  must  certainly  do  some- 
thing on  our  part.  We  must  lawfully  combat  against 
the  powers  of  darkness,  which  endeavor  to  seduce  us 
to  deviate  from  the  narrow  path  of  salvation,  and  walk 
on  the  broad  and  pleasant  road  of  eternal  perdition. 


THIRD    SERMON.  1 83 

In  this  regard,  we  must  be  zealous  in  overcoming- 
temptation ;  we  must  avoid  sin,  and,  with  the  zeal  of 
the  saints,  perform  good  works. 

But  the  name  Christian  reminds  us,  furthermore, 
of  a  series  of  motives  which,  if  we  consider  them  prop- 
erly, will  inspire  us  with  courage  and  strength  to  con- 
quer in  this  manner  victoriously,  and  to  crush  the  head 
of  the  serpent  of  temptation,  thus  coming  nearer  and 
nearer  each  day  to  that  perfection  at  which  we  all  must 
aim. 

I  am  a  Christian,  how  could  I,  by  sinning,  sacrifice 
the  dignity  of  having  been  created  in  the  image  of 
God,  and  every  right  and  title  to  the  triumphant  king- 
dom of  Christ  in  heaven?  Never!  ah,  never!  I  am 
a  Christian ;  and  as  long  as  I  possess  within  my  heart 
the  power  to  feel,  I  will  utter  the  triumphant  cry: 
"  Depart  from  me  !  "  and  endeavor,  by  my  progress  in 
the  path  of  perfection,  to  remain  close  to  Christ,  and 
to  become  always  more  like  unto  Him,  that  He  may 
not  be  ashamed  to  call  me  His  brother  before  all  the 
radiant  angels  of  His  heavenly  realm. 

The  Name  of  Jesus  is  a  holy  and  sanctifying  Name, 
so  also  is  the  name'^f  Christian.  It  was  imparted  to 
us  in  baptism,  whose  saving  waters  cleanse  every  stain 
of  sin  from  the  soul,  and  infuse  into  it  the  priceless 
boon  of  sanctifying  grace. 

As  true  Christians  we  shine,  as  St.  Paul  assures  us, 
like  bright  and  sparkling  torches  amid  the  darkness, 
which,  through  idolatry,  sins,  and  crimes  of  every  kind, 
bury  and  enchain  the  nations  of  the  earth. 


154       FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY    NAME    OF    JESUS. 

'*  Let  your  light  shine,  that  men  may  see  your  good 
works,  and  glorify  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven." 
These  are  the  words  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.  How  earnestly,  therefore,  should  not  the  con- 
sciousness— *'  I  am  a  Christian" — urge  us  to  the  imi- 
tation of  Christ,  and  to  the  utmost  solicitude  in  the 
momentous  affair  of  our  salvation.  A  martyr  of  Christ 
who,  in  the  early  ages  of  Christianity,  was  dragged 
before  the  judge  because  he  was  a  Christian,  gave  to 
all  the  questions  of  the  pagan  judge  the  unvarying 
answer:  "I  am  a  Christian."  What  is  your  name? 
*'  I  am  a  Christian."  What  is  your  occupation  ?  ''  To 
be  a  Christian." 

If  I  can  thus  reply  with  truth,  then  indeed  my  sal- 
vation is  secured  ;  if  not,  then  indeed  I  am  in  danger. 
Ah,  yes!  a  Christian  I  am,  and  will  ever  be!  The 
Name  of  Jesus  is  a  Name  which  is  full  of  the  sweet- 
est consolation  and  celestial  benediction ;  so  also  is 
the  name  Christian.  It  whispers  to  us  to  look  into 
the  mystery  of  the  Redemption  of  the  world, — the 
passion  and  death  of  our  Lord  and  Redeemer  Jesus 
Christ. 

Instructed  by  Christ's  word,  encouraged  by  His  ex- 
ample to  bear  the  cross,  all  troubles  lose  the  appear- 
ance of  evil,  and  shine  with  a  lovely  light  along  the 
way  to  heaven  to  increase  our  joy  in  the  kingdom  of 
eternal  reward,  if  we,  with  Him,  for  Him,  and  through 
Him,  have  victoriously  endured  the  trials  which  He 
has  sent  us  here  on  earth. 

It  was  this  that  amazed  the  heathens,  and  was  so 


THIRD    SERMON.  1 85 

often  the  means  of  winning  them  to  confess  the  truth 
of  our  holy  faith.  What  admiration  filled  them  when 
they  beheld  how  Christians,  in  the  midst  of  torments, 
praised  and  thanked  God  that  He  deemed  them  worthy 
to  testify  in  this  manner  their  love  to  Him,  and  their 
fidelity  to  the  faith  He  came  to  teach.  *'  I  am  a  Chris- 
tian." This  one  thought  is  a  blessed  source  of  con- 
solation. Oh,  what  joy  in  the  remembrance  that  we 
are  in  possession  of  a  dignity  the  very  name  of  which 
is  a  pledge  of  security  for  us  for  time  and  eternity ! 

Well  Is  it  for  us  if,  through  constant  meditation  on 
the  above,  a  true  appreciation  of  this  dignity  pene- 
trates us.  Thus  we  shall,  after  a  joyfully  happy  and 
meritorious  life,  receive,  upon  our  dying  bed,  that 
consolation  which  St.  Teresa  experienced  when  she 
yielded  her  pure  soul  into  the  hands  of  the  Lord:  "I 
die  as  a  child  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church."    Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  PURIFICATION. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

"Now  Thou  dost  dismiss  Thy  servant,  O  Lord,  in  peace!" — Luke  2. 

THESE  were  the  words  of  holy  Simeon  as  he  re- 
ceived the  divine  Child  from  the  arms  of  its 
mother ;  who  would  not  congratulate  him  that  the  Lord 
fulfilled  his  ardent  longing,  and  that,  too,  in  so  perfect 
a  manner,  by  look  upon  the  Infant  God? 

To  behold  the  promised  Redeemer,  and  then  de- 
part from  this  world  to  his  eternal  home,  had  been 
the  suppliant  prayer  of  Simeon  from  the  days  of  his 
youth  to  his  venerable  old  age  ;  and  this  silent  but  in- 
tense desire  of  his  heart  was  gratified  on  the  Feast  of 
the  Purification,  which  we  celebrate  to-day. 

Mary,  with  the  divine  Child  in  her  arms,  entered  the 
temple  with  Joseph,  her  virginal  spouse.  Simeon 
looked  upon  the  Child  and,  the  Holy  Spirit  illumin- 
ating his  soul,  recognized  in  Him  the  Saviour  of  the 
world ;  and  not  only  that,  but  he  glanced  with  pro- 
phetic vision  into  the  future,  and  God  permitted  him 
to  behold  the  consequences  of  His  advent  into  the 
world, — the  Church  so  gloriously  founded  by  Him. 
He  thanked  God  for  the  happiness  and  grace  when 
be  saw  himself  among  the  number  of  those  for  whom 


FIRST    SERMON.  1 87 

Christ  was  to  become  a  sign  of  resurrection  and  glo- 
rification for  eternal  life. 

The  Lord  granted  his  ardent  desire,  and  surely  in 
a  more  perfect  manner  than  he  anticipated,  from  which 
arose  his  prayer:  "  Now,  O  Lord,  dismiss  Thy  serv- 
ant in  peace ! " 

The  example  of  Simeon  indicates,  in  the  most  ex- 
plicit m^anner,  what  is  required  that  we  may  also  bid 
adieu  to  life,  consoled  and  strengthened  i7i  the  Lord. 

0  Mary,  sweet  consoler  of  the  dying,  obtain  for  us 
the  grace  of  a  happy  death  ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  of  God ! 


Simeon  longed  to  depart  from  this  world.  Unlike 
so  many,  even  among  those  who  have  received  the 
light  of  faith,  death  held  nothing  terrible  for  him. 
Why  is  it,  beloved  in  Christ,  that  the  approach  of 
death  is  generally  regarded  with  such  apprehension, 
and  even  terror? 

Because  the  human  heart  is  entirely  too  much  en- 
grossed by  the  things  of  this  world — its  goods  and 
treasures.  Men  toil  on  as  lonof  as  their  enerofies  will 
permit,  to  acquire  what  they  deem  a  sufficient  com- 
petency to  enable  them  to  spend  their  declining  years 
in  comfort,  ease,  or  luxury  ;  and  when  the  grim  mon- 
arch of  the  tomb  bids  them  leave  it  all,  their  whole 
interior  undergoes  a  fearful  struggle.  Men  pass  their 
lives  in  enjoyment,  they  are  happy  in  the  love  and  af- 


1 88  FEAST    OF    THE    PURIFICATION. 

fection  of  the  family  circle,  or  their  days  pass  on  in 
dissipation  and  forbidden  amusements,  when  suddenly 
death  appears  and  bids  them  go.  Ah!  then  what 
trouble,  what  misery,  what  resistance  on  the  part  of 
those  whose  prayer  is  not:  '*  Now,  O  Lord,  dismiss 
Thy  servant  in  peace;"  but  a  very  different  one: 
"■  Now,  O  Lord,  let  Thy  creature  enjoy  the  goods  of 
earth,  and  grant  unto  me  still  many  days  with  my  fam- 
ily, relations,  and  friends.  Ah!  let  me  taste  still 
longer  the  joys  of  earth." 

Simeon  longed  for  death  ;  not  so  the  child  of  the 
world.  Simeon  held  the  Child  Jesus  in  his  arms,  and 
pressed  Him  to  his  heart,  hoping  ere  long  to  embrace 
Him  in  the  kingdom  of  His  eternal  love ;  which  circum- 
stance refers  to  another  fact,  from  which  we  learn 
the  reason  why  every  Christian  does  not  long  to  be 
dissolved,  and  to  be  with  Christ. 

Man,  indeed,  believes  in  Christ,  adores  Him,  and  is 
resolved  to  live  as  a  child  of  His  Holy  Church,  but 
by  all  this  he  does  not  attain  to  the  personal  knowl- 
edge of  the  Lord,  whom  he  loves,  so  to  say  only  In 
name.'  Hence  the  weakness  of  his  love,  and  desire, 
and  longing  for  God. 

We  are  satisfied  to  live  in  His  grace,  but  Jesus  is 
not  the  principal  thought,  the  principal  wish,  the  prin- 
cipal desire  of  our  hearts.  Man  lives  near  Him,  but 
in  spirit  he  is  more  engrossed  with  other  men  and  ob- 
jects than  with  God,  and  all  that  concerns  His  em- 
pire. 

Therefore,  he  does  not  feel  the  ardent  longing  to 


FIRST    SERMON,  1 89 

leave  this  world,  to  haste  to  his  Creator,  and  to  abide 
with  Him  in  the  full  possession  of  His  superabundant 
love,  and  to  sigh  with  St.  Paul:  *'I  desire  to  be  dis- 
solved, and  to  be  with  Christ.'* 

How  very  different  would  this  be  did  we  but  follow 
the  admonition  contained  in  the  example  of  the  ven- 
erable Simeon,  holding  in  his  arms  the  Infant  Saviour. 
This  should  remind  us  of  the  presence  of  Christ  in  the 
Most  Holy  Sacrament,  and  of  the  happiness  of  being 
permitted  to  have  intercourse  with  Him  therein.  It 
should  remind  us  of  the  great  privilege  we  enjoy  of 
speaking  to  Him,  of  laying  before  Him  each  wish  of 
our  hearts,  and  even  of  receiving  His  precious  Body 
and  Blood, — a  happiness  which  was  not  granted  to 
Simeon. 

Indeed,  generally  speaking,  what  Christ  was  to  do 
for  us,  was  not  so  well  known  to  him  as  to  us.  While 
Christ  has  already  lived  and  accomplished  the  work  of 
redemption  in  us,  Simeon  enjoyed  but  for  a  few  mo- 
ments the  opportunity  of  remaining  with  Him  in  per- 
son ;  for  Mary  and  Joseph  left  the  temple,  and  took 
the  little  Infant  away.  But  now,  Christ  abides  among 
us  in  the  tabernacle,  and  never  for  a  moment  ceases 
to  invite  and  entreat  us  to  come  to  Him.  Oh,  that 
we  might  fully  comprehend  how  to  appreciate  and 
make  use  of  this  immeasurably  great  gift ! — this  gift 
of  the  perpetual  presence  of  the  Lord  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament!  Only  through  the  perfect  application  of 
this  precious  gift  will  the  meaning  of  all  the  rela- 
tions of  Christ  become  clear  to  us.    When  we  call  Him 


190  FEAST    OF    THE    PURIFICATION. 

our  Father — Brother — Friend — the  Spouse  of  our 
souls,  we  begin  to  anticipate  what  our  hearts  will  feel 
for  Him  when  we  behold  Him  unveiled — freed  from 
the  sacramental  forms — when  we  look  upon  His 
glory  in  heaven,  and  embrace  Him  there. 

In  the  measure  that  the  personal  love  and  knowl- 
edge of  Jesus  Christ  increases  in  us  by  our  intercourse 
with  Him,  in  the  same  degree  the  desire  grows  ever- 
more intense  to  fly  to  Him  from  this  world  of  sin  to  a 
home  of  eternal  bliss.  For  what  would  be  the  posses- 
sion of  the  whole  earth,  with  its  riches  and  its  pleas- 
ures, compared  to  that  possession  into  which  we  enter, 
if  we  depart  this  life  in  the  grace  of  God,  and  hear 
from  His  divine  lips  the  blessed  words:  ''Enter  into 
the  joys,  the  glory,  and  the  delights  of  thy  Lord." 
*'  The  conqueror  I  let  sit  with  Me  on  My  throne." 
Oh,  what  are  all  the  fleeting  honors  of  this  world  com- 
pared with  the  brilliant  luster  of  the  crown  which 
Christ  will  put  upon  our  heads,  when  we  shall  have 
reached  the  refuge  of  His  love  in  heaven  !  and  what 
are  earthly  joys  compared  to  those  which  He  has  pre- 
pared for  His  own,  beyond  the  skies! 

We  may,  it  is  true,  enjoy  the  delights  of  the  happy 
family  circle — our  parents,  children,  friends — and  it 
will  be  a  bitter  pang  to  part  with  them  by  death;  but 
the  pain  of  that  separation  will  be  repaid  a  thousand 
fold  by  the  bliss  which  a  union  with  Christ  in  heaven 
will  bring  to  us.  Through  Him  we  enter  into  the 
communion  and  beatitude  of  the  saints,  of  His  blessed 
mother,  St.  Joseph,  and   all  the  celestial  host.    Ah! 


FIRST    SERMON.  I9I 

then,  may  we  not  indeed,  with  the  holy  Simeon,  and 
the  venerable  Apostle  of  nations,  desire  to  be  dis- 
solved and  to  be  with  Christ? 

One  circumstance  which  intensifies  that  desire  is 
this :  What  a  joy  it  will  be  to  leave  the  world,  and  with 
it  the  many,  the  innumerable  offenses  by  which  in  ev- 
ery hour  of  the  day  and  night  Jesus  Christ  is  insulted 
and  crucified  anew,  even  by  those  who  call  themselves 
children  of  His  Church ! 

And  we,  ourselves,  alas !  are  not  free  from  reproach 
in  this  regard ;  for  we  offend  Him,  if  not  by  mortal 
sins,  at  least  by  innumerable  venial  faults  and  imper- 
fections, from  which  we  can  not  keep  ourselves  free 
without  a  special  grace  of  God.  What  a  motive  to 
desire  heaven,  and  to  sigh  from  the  deepest  depths 
of  the  heart:  '*  I  long  to  be  dissolved,  and  to  be  with 
Christ;  "  where  I  will  be  confirmed  in  grace,  and  for- 
ever free  from  the  fear  of  displeasing  my  Lord  and 
God ;  where  I  will  be  purified  from  every  stain  of  sin, 
and  will  become  an  object  of  His  pleasure  and  love 
for  all  eternity. 

The  holy  Simeon  was  endowed  with  the  spirit  of 
prophecy.  He  penetrated  the  secrets  of  the  ages  yet 
hidden  in  the  mystic  veil  of  futurity;  and  the  destinies 
of  the  Church  were  revealed  to  him.  He  beheld  the 
combat  which  the  Church  of  Christ  would  have  to 
enter  upon,  and  the  different  manner  in  which  the 
children  of  men  would  apply  or  reject  the  priceless 
gift  of  redemption. 

When  Simeon  held  the  Infant  Jesus  in  his  arms,  the 


192  FEAST    OF    THE    PURIFICATION. 

massive  gates  of  heaven  were  yet  closed,  and  his 
soul  must  descend  to  Limbo,  and  wait  until  Christ 
would  enter  His  kingdom  of  glory,  and  take  with  Him 
the  souls  saved  through  His  passion  and  death. 

Look  in  spirit  upon  your  own  dying  bed.  How  dif- 
ferent will  it  be!  Christ  has  entered  His  kincrdom, 
and  there  awaits  the  just  soul  with  a  heavenly  crown. 
Now,  if  during  life,  our  whole  desire  was  to  be  with 
Him,  a  desire  which  displayed  itself  by  our  aspiration 
after  the  perfection  and  fidelity  of  the  saints  in  imitat- 
ing Him,  then  we  will,  after  death,  fly  immediately 
to  Him,  and  enter  into  His  beatitude  and  love.  God 
grant  to  us  all,  beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  through  the 
intercession  of  the  blessed  Virgin,  St.  Joseph,  and  St. 
Anna,  the  grace  of  a  happy  death,  full  of  an  ardent 
longing  after  Christ,  our  dearest  Saviour ! — Amen  ! 


SECOND    SERMON.  1 93 

SECOND    SERMON. 

"A  light  to  the  revelation  of  the  Gentiles." — Luke  2. 

THE  feast  which  Holy  Church  celebrates  to-day  in 
honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  has  a  twofold  name. 
It  is  called  the  Feast  of  the  Purification  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin.  This  name  relates  to  the  historical  event, 
which  took  place  when  Mary  presented  herself  in  the 
temple,  with  the  divine  Child,  that  she  might  there 
fulfill  the  precept  of  a  law  which,  properly  speaking, 
did  not  regard  her  in  the  least. 

The  name  ''Candlemas  Day"  refers  to  the  rite  of 
blessing  the  candles  to  be  used  by  the  faithful,  which  is 
observed  with  proper  solemnity  by  the  Church.  In 
regard  to  these  blessed  candles,  there  are  three  spe- 
cial periods  of  life  when  the  Church  places  those 
candles,  enriched  by  her  benediction,  in  the  hands  of 
her  children,  and  these  are :  First,  at  their  entrance 
into  this  world — when  they  receive  the  sacrament  of 
baptism;  secondly,  when,  for  the  first  time,  they  ap- 
proach the  altar,  and  from  the  hands  of  God's  minis- 
ter receive  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Christ;  and, 
thirdly,  when,  at  the  close  of  life,  the  soul  is  about 
to  go  forth  and  meet  the  Judge  of  the  living  and  the 
dead. 

Let  tis  consider  to-day  what  relation  the  lighted 
blessed  candle  bears  to  our  conduct  as  children  of  God 
in  imitating  Christ,  at  the  baptismal  font,  at  first  holy 
communion,  and  at  the  bed  of  death. 


194  FEAST    OF    THE    PURIFCATION. 

0  Mary,  who  becamest,  through  Christ,  a  light  to 
guide  mankind,  obtain  for  us  the  Hght  of  grace  clearly 
to  discern  our  vocation  as  children  of  God,  and  to  walk 
therein  with  unfaltering  steps ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


Our  Holy  Mother  Church  places  a  lighted  blessed 
candle  in  the  hands  of  each  one  of  her  children, 
first,  when  they  enter  this  world, — or,  to  speak  with 
more  exactness,  on  their  entrance  into  the  visible 
kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  by  the  sacrament  of  bap- 
tism. Her  intention  in  doing  this  is  shown  by  the 
words  which  the  priest,  in  her  name,  directs  to  the 
newly  baptized  infant:  "Receive  this  burning  light, 
and  keep  thy  baptism  so  as  to  be  without  blame. 
Observe  the  commandments  of  God,  that  when  our 
Lord  shall  come  to  His  nuptials,  thou  mayest  meet 
Him,  together  with  all  the  saints,  in  the  heavenly 
court,  and  mayest  have  life  everlasting,  and  live  for- 
ever and  ever. — Arnen  !  '* 

What  an  admonition  is  contained  in  these  words! 
Preserve  pure  and  unspotted  your  baptismal  robe; 
preserve  the  remembrance  of  the  promises  made  by 
you ;  forget  not  your  baptismal  vows  ;  observe  all  that 
you  have  so  solemnly  taken  upon  yourselves  before 
the  Lord.  As  Christians,  you  have  renounced  the 
devil  with  all  his  works  and  pomps  ;  try,  then,  ever 
to  live  as  true  servants  of  Christ.  And  what  is 
meant  by  a  truly  Christian  life?    Beloved  in  Christ, 


SECOND    SERMON.  195 

one  glance  at  Him,  who  is  the  Light  of  the  world,  will 
teach  us  this. 

Man,  left  to  himself,  knows  but  little  of  all- that  re- 
gards his  ultimate  destiny  and'  last  end;  he  can  not 
realize  the  malice  and  fiorror  of  sin,  for  his  spirit  is 
shrouded  in  dark  night,  and  he  dwelleth  in  the  shadow 
of  death. 

But  let  him  become  well  instructed  in  the  truths  of 
faith ;  let  him  look  at  Christ,  the  Light  of  the  world, 
and  consider  what  He, — through  His  word  and  exam- 
ple, from  the  moment  of  His  advent  into  the  world, 
through  His  life  and  death  upon  the  cross, — teaches 
us  by  His  Church. 

Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  assumes  our  flesh  to  free 
us  from  the  evil  of  sin,  which  quenches  in  us  the  light 
of  grace. 

Besides  this,  we  learn  from  the  lips  of  the  proph- 
ets— from  Christ  Himself,  through  the  teachings  of 
the  Apostles  and  their  successors — that  all  are  saved 
who  here  in  the  state  of  grace  participate  in  the  fruits 
of  the  Redemption. 

We  are  clearly  instructed  in  all  that  is  calculated  to 
fill  our  hearts  with  hatred  and  horror  of  sin ;  we  are 
told  what  we  must  do  in  order  to  be  cleansed  from  it, 
if,  after  baptism,  we  have  had  the  misfortune  to  offend 
God  thereby,  and  fall  once  more  into  the  power  of 
Satan. 

The  Christian  who,  in  this  regard,  permits  himself 
to  be  thoroughly  illuminated  by  the  light  of  faith 
which  Christ  brought  into  this  world,  will  become  also 


196  FEAST    OF    THE    PURIFICATION. 

thoroughly  in  earnest  in  his  resolution  to  amend  his 
life.  ''No  more  sin!''  Such  a  one  avoids  the  occa- 
sion of  -sin  ;  yes,  in  the  first  moment  of  temptation, 
he  cries  out  against  Satan,  in  the  most  holy  name  of 
Jesus,  ''Depart,"  and  thus  conquers  the  tempter, 
which,  through  his  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  the  study 
of  His  divine  example  and  doctrines,  but,  above  all, 
through  his  ardent  love,  he  can  easily  accomplish. 

If  this  be  so,  what  then  is  the  reason  that  so  very 
few  retain  their  baptismal  innocence,  and  that  by  far 
the  greater  number  lose  it  so  soon  ?  I  answer  by  say- 
ing that  it  is  because  we  forget  to  glance  at  Christ,  Who, 
through  sin,  was  crucified  for  us. 

The  second  occasion  on  which  the  Church  presents 
her  children  with  a  blessed  candle,  is  on  the  occasion 
of  their  first  communion.  She  admonishes  them  by 
this  not  to  be  satisfied  merely  to  avoid  sin,  but  with 
unwavering  footsteps  to  walk  after  Christ  in  the  way 
of  Christian  perfection.  He  is  the  brilliant  Light 
which  makes  of  this  darksome  earth  a  glorious  way  to 
heaven. 

In  our  lives  as  true  children  of  the  Church  we  must 
strive  ever  to  know,  in  as  distinct  a  manner  as  possi- 
ble, the  most  holy  will  of  God,  and  pray  always  for 
the  strength  and  will  to  fulfill  it  perfectly.  And  what 
is,  in  general,  the  will  of  God  in  our  regard?  To 
this  question  St.  Paul  replies:  **This  is  the  will  of 
God:  your  sanctification."  Through  what?  This  ques- 
tion also  the  great  Apostle  of  nations  answers  with 
equal  certainty:  ** Those  also  whom  He  has  elected, 


SECOND    SERMON.      ^  197 

He  has  predestined  to  become  conformable  to  Him- 
self;"  and  he  says  of  himself:  "Be  ye  my  imitators, 
as  I  am  an  imitator  of  Christ,"  and  each  true  Chris- 
tian should  be  enabled  to  say  the  same  to  the  rest  of 
mankind.  But,  alas,  what  darkness  envelops  that  por- 
tion of  the  human  race  who  know  nothing  of  Christ; 
while  the  halo,  as  it  were,  of  a  brilliant  sunlight  en- 
circles those  who  look  at  His  bright  example  and 
obey  His  admonition:  ''Learn  of  Me;"  and  again: 
*'  Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and  thirst  after  justice." 

To  what  heights  of  perfection  can  those  Christians 
attain  who  glance  at  Christ  and  imitate  His  example ! 
This  we  may  learn  by  the  lives  of  the  saints ;  and,  as 
this  symbolical  light  sparkles  in  our  hand  at  Holy  Com- 
munion, Mother  Church  points  at  the  same  time  to  the 
source  of  all  grace  by  which  we  are  enabled  to  live  in 
the  imitation  of  Christ  after  the  manner  of  the  saints. 

This,  beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  is  our  intercourse 
with  Christ  in  the  most  Holy  Sacrament,  which  is  the 
only  way  to  attain,  to  His  personal  knowledge,  to  the 
perfect  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  follow  His  exam- 
ple until  we  attain  to  the  highest  degree  of  virtue. 

If  the  illuminative  light — as  it  shines  through  Christ 
into  the  hearts  of  the  innocent  ones,  who  are  united 
with  Him  for  the  first  time  through  a  worthy  commun- 
ion— is  never  permitted  to  burn  dimly;  but,  by  fre- 
quent reception  of  the  Holy  Eucharist,  is  always  en- 
livened anew,  then  indeed  there  is  an  unequivocal 
assurance  that  the  fervor  which  characterized  their 
first  Holy  Communion  remains  ever  the  same,  and 


198  FEAST    OF   THE    PURIFICATION. 

that  their  endeavors  after  Christian  perfection  in  fol- 
lowing the  Lord  will  be  crowned  with  success. 

The  third  period  of  life  when  the  Church  places  the 
blessed  candle  in  the  hands  of  her  children,  is  at  the 
moment  when  the  soul  is  about  to  leave  the  body, 
and  its  flickering  beams  cast  their  uncertain  light  on 
the  pallid  countenance  and  fading  eyes  of  the  dying 
Christian. 

If  we  would  that  our  zeal  should  grow  constantly 
greater,  and  our  fervor  increase  as  children  of  light, 
let  us  keep  ever  in  view  the  remembrance  of  the  pow- 
erful word — Eternity — united  with  the  abiding  thought 
of  the  certainty  of  death  and  its  approach,  which  comes 
nearer  each  moment.  It  is,  as  the  Apostle  styles  it, 
the  answer  of  death  within  us. 

Happy  for  us,  my  dearest  Christians,  if  this  three- 
fold relation  of  the  blessed  candle  burns  with  ever- 
increasing  brightness  around  our  spirits,  for  then  in- 
deed Christ  will  surely  remain  for  us  the  Light  to 
guide  our  steps  to  the  empire  of  His  glory!    Amen! 


THIRD    SERMON.  1 99 


THIRD  SERMON. 

**  And  after  the  days  of  her  purification  according  to  the  law  of  Moses  were 
accomplished,  they  carried  Him  to  Jerusalem." — Luke  ii,  22. 

'^  TJE  has  regarded  the  humility  of  His  handmaid." 
1 1   The  Blessed  Virgin  declares  this  of  herself, 
and  the  feast  we  celebrate  to-day  is  a  most  glorious 
proof  of  this  disposition  of  her  heart. 

The  law  of  Moses,  to  comply  with  which  Mary  came 
to  the  temple  to  present  her  offerings,  surely  related 
only  to  mothers  who,  after  the  fall  of  our  first  mother, 
Eve,  conceived  and  brought  forth  a  male  child  in  the 
natural  way.  It  was  not  thus  that  Mary  conceived  her 
divine  Child,  but  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
she  remained  a  pure  virgin  before,  in,  and  after  His 
birth.  Therefore,  although  the  law  of  Moses  was  not 
binding  upon  her  in  regard  to  this  point,  nevertheless 
she  fulfilled  it,  and  placed  herself  by  her  own  free  will 
upon  an  equality  with  all  the  mothers  of  her  race. 

This  trait  in  the  holy  Virgin's  character  contains  a 
most  important  lesson  for  all  the  children  of  the  Church, 
reminding  us  of  the  zeal,  magnanimity,  and  fidelity  with 
which  we  should  observe  the  precepts  which  she  has 
enjoined  upon  us,  and  of  the  spirit  of  self-sacrifice  with 
which  we  should  be  ready  to  support  them  at  every 
cost,  and  thus  show  before  God  and  the  world  that  we 
are  really  His  faithful  children.  If  to  remind  the  faith- 
ful of  this  duty  was  always  appropriate  and  important, 
it  is  particularly  so  nowadays  when  the  Church  is  in 


300  FEAST    OF    THE    PURIFICATION. 

SO  remarkable  a  manner  an  object  of  hate  to  the  ene- 
mies of  Christ,  and  an  object  of  indifference  to  so  many 
who  call  themselves  members  of  her  fold. 

/  call  out  to  all,  therefore,  to-day :  Show  yourselves 
children  of  God  by  zealously  fulfilliiig  yotir  duties  to- 
wards His  Church,  your  Mother  in  Christ. 

0  Mary,  Protectress  of  the  Church,  whom  we  call 
our  Mother,  intercede  for  us  that  we  may  ever  live 
according  to  her  commands ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


"By  this  it  will  be  known  that  you  are  my  own," 
says  Christ,  **if  you  love  one  another."  This  is  the 
characteristic  mark  by  which  true  Catholics  are  known 
— this  spirit  of  love,  which  knows  nothing  of  envy  or 
malice,  nothing  of  hatred  or  enmity,  but  which  disposes 
our  hearts  to  fulfill  literally  the  counsel  of  the  Lord: 
**  As  you  would  that  men  should  do  unto  you,  do  you 
also  to  them  in  like  manner." 

None  but  a  true  Christian  is  able  to  live  as  he  is 
bound  to  do  by  the  precept  of  fraternal  love;  and  we 
might  with  equal  justice  assert  that  by  this  it  will  be 
known  that  you  are  not  Catholics  in  name  alone,  if 
you  try  ever  to  act  in  accordance  with  it. 

If  you  love  the  Church  in  proportion  to  her  merits, 
appreciate  her  and  contribute  to  her  support  accord- 
ing to  your  means. 

Let  us  briefly  consider  the  many  and  powerful  rea- 


THIRD    SERMON.  20I 

sons  which  place  themselves  before  our  eyes  in  proof 
of  the  correctness  of  the  above. 

I  said — first,  ''Honor  the  Church,  whose  protectress 
is,  Mary,  as  your  mother." 

Alas !  there  are  many  Catholics  who  perhaps  during 
the  whole  course  of  their  lives  have  scarcely  given  a 
thought  to  the  great  happiness  and  honor  it  is  for 
them  to  call  the  Catholic  Church  their  mother.  They 
consider  not  those  rare  privileges  through  which  the 
Lord  placed  her  on  the  lofty  mount,  that  she  may  be 
to  all  who  are  interested  in  the  salvation  of  their  souls 
a  beacon  light. 

In  regard  to  those  other  sects  whose  members  pro- 
fess to  belong  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  they  are  only 
the  work  of  men,  and  the  foundation  upon  which  they 
rest  is  falsehood  and  deceit.  They  teach  not  the  way 
of  truth,  but  of  error.  What  a  contrast  to  all  this  is 
presented  by  the  Church  of  Christ — the  Church  of  the 
Triune  God,  the  kingdom  of  His  Incarnate  Son!  As 
soon  as  we  enter  her  fold  we  are  no  longer  slaves  of 
Satan ;  we  are  free  ;  we  are  God's  own  children,  enti- 
tled to  call  Him  Father,  Jesus  our  Brother,  Mary  our 
Mother,  the  angels  and  saints  our  brothers  and  sisters 
in  Christ.  She  is  the  Church  with  whom  Christ  depos- 
ited the  source  of  every  grace,  to  whom  He  bequeathed 
His  precious  Body  and  Blood — Himself — in  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament.  She  it  is  who  extends  her  protect- 
ing hand  during  the  whole  course  of  our  lives,  and 
who,  furthermore,  watches  over  us  at  the  hour  of  our 
death.   It  is  her  assistance  which  follows  us  even  when 


202  FEAST    OF    THE    PURIFICATION. 

we  have  crossed  over  to  the  "  eternal  shore  ;  "  and  it  is 
she  who  continually  sends  her  children  to  heaven,  there 
to  increase  the  glory  of  the  saints. 

Although  persecuted  for  centuries,  she  still  stands 
firm  and  victorious  here  on  earth,  as  the  immutable 
kingdom  of  God. 

Her  well-instructed  children,  therefore,  filled  with 
holy  enthusiasm,  should  esteem  it  the  greatest  honor 
to  be  members  of  this  glorious  Church,  and  never  for 
one  moment  give  way  to  a  feeling  of  shame  on  pro- 
fessing their  faith  before  the  world. 

This  disposition  of  the  heart  must  particularly  prove 
itself  not  only  by  our  observance  of  the  commands  of 
God,  and  the  precepts  of  the  Church,  but  by  endeav- 
oring to  induce  others  to  do  the  same,  to  obey  these 
commands. 

Alas!  that  we  so  often  hear  the  excuse  even  from 
Catholics — "  Oh !  that  is  only  a  precept  of  the  Church." 
Foolish  and  sinful  words !  Is  there  not  sufficient  rea- 
son for  obedience  in  the  very  fact  that  it  is  a  precept 
of  that  Church  of  which  Christ  says  :  ''  Whatsoever  you 
bind  upon  earth  is  bound  also  in  heaven ;  "  and  again: 
''  He  that  does  not  hear  the  Church,  let  him  be  to  thee 
as  the  heathen."  Some,  indeed,  may  even  think  that 
obedience  to  this  or  that  precept  is  not  of  so  much 
weight  or  importance  because  we  are  citizens  of  this 
great  and  free  republic.  What  utter  folly !  How  can 
the  country  excuse  the  violation  of  the  precepts  of  the 
Church  of  God?  Or,  think  you  that  for  America  there 
is  another  church,  another  heaven,  another  God? 


THIRD    SERMON.  203 

Besides  this,  the  Church  wishes,  when  she  issues 
her  precepts  to  her  children,  to  afford  them  occasion 
to  practise  the  two  principal  virtues  —  obedience  and 
self-denial  —  confirm  themselves  in  them,  and  give 
them  at  the  same  time  occasion  to  acquire  the  merit 
of  thus  confessing  their  faith  openly  before  God  and 
man. 

We  may  also  apply  to  the  Church  what  Christ  de- 
clares of  Himself  as  Judge  of  the  living  and  the  dead : 
"Whosoever  confesses  Me  before  men,  the  Son  of 
man  will  also  confess  him  before  His  Father,  who  is 
in  heaven."  In  like  manner  can  the  Church  cry  out  to 
her  children, — ''Whosoever  confesses  Me  on  earth  as 
his  Church  and  Mother,  him  will  I  also  acknowledge 
on  the  day  of  judgment." 

What  tends  to  confirm  us  still  more  in  this  resolu- 
tion to  impress  on  our  lives  this  seal  of  election  for 
the  kingdom  of  God,  is  the  consideration  of  how  no- 
ble, how  salutary,  and  how  admirable  is  all  that  the 
Church  requires  of  her  members  in  these  precepts, 
the  observance  of  two  among  which,  characterize  us 
as  faithful  Catholics.  For  instance,  we  are  commanded 
to  abstain  from  flesh  meat  on  Fridays,  and  to  keep 
holy  Sundays  and  holy  days  of  obligation.  By  the 
former  we  are  reminded  of  the  bitter  and  agonizing 
death  which  the  Redeemer  of  the  world  suffered  for 
us  in  the  flesh  on  Good  Friday.  By  the  latter  we 
are  bound  to  hear  Mass  on  certain  special  days  ; 
although,  indeed,  even  without  a  precept,  good  Cath- 
olics should  and  will  always  avail  themselves  of  the 
14 


204  FEAST    OF    THE    PURIFICATION. 

happiness  to  be  derived  from  devoutly  assisting  at  the 
sacrifice  of  the  New  Law. 

Through  this  twofold  precept  the  Church  proves 
herself  a  Mother  over  the  entire  world,  and  reminds 
us  that  all  men  are  alike  before  God.  The  rich  man 
and  the  beggar,  the  serf  and  the  king — we  are  all 
children  of  the  one  great  family  of  the  Lord. 

The  family  roof  and  the  general  table  are  character- 
istics of  the  family  tie.  The  one  common  table  which 
the  Church  offers  to  her  children  on  Fridays,  and  the 
roof  of  God's  temple,  which  is  always  ready  to  offer 
them  shelter,  most  appropriately  suggest  the  idea  that 
they  are  all  united  in  the  family  of  God  on  earth. 

But  some  one  may  object  and  say:  "Why  refrain 
from  eating  meat?  Why  not,  just  as  well,  select  some 
other  food?''  I  reply,  the  Church  commands  us  to 
abstain  ixovameat;  she  might  have  obliged  us  all  to 
eat  meat  on  certain  days  ;  and  in  either  case  it  would 
be  to  test  our  obedience,  and  our  compliance  would 
be  equally  meritorious. 

And  since  those  whom  it  has  pleased  God  to  place 
among  His  beloved  poor  are  often  without  the  means 
of  procuring  meat,  it  is  well  for  the  rich  to  sit,  as  it 
were,  at  the  table  of  the  poor — yes,  even  the  king 
or  emperor — for  at  least  one  day  of  the  week.  Oh, 
how  replete  with  wisdom  is  this  admirable  precept ! 

The  observance  of  the  festivals,  too,  reminds  us  of 
the  vast  and  important  difference  between  Christians, 
as  we  in  reality  are,  and  those  who  are  contented  with 
the  name!    There  is  no  doubt  that  Protestants  pray 


THIRD    SERMON.  2O5 

on  Sundays ;  but  on  festivals,  especially  those  in  honor 
of  the  saints,  they  work  as  heathens;  for  they  have 
no  saints  to  produce,  and,  like  the  Jews,  they  are  sat- 
isfied with  their  Sabbath  rest.  Nay,  they  evince  even 
less  gratitude  to  God  for  the  principal  events  in  the 
life  of  our  Saviour  than  do  the  Jews  in  remembrance 
of  the  graces  they  received  from  the  providence  of 
God  in  olden  times. 

In  regard  to  the  precept  of  confession  and  Holy 
Communion,  all  who  are  deeply  penetrated  with  the 
spirit  of  obedience  to  the  Church,  will  feel  the  benefit 
of  them  without  a  special  law  to  force  them  to  comply 
with  their  duty  in  these  respects.  If  we  truly  love  our 
Holy  Church,  that  love  will  in  itself  be  an  impulse 
which  will  lead  us  to  support  her  according  to  our 
ability,  not  only  in  our  own  homes,  but  over  the  world, 
with  generosity  and  liberality;  working  in  all  possible 
ways  that  every  human  soul  may  confess  the  one  God, 
the  Father  in  heaven,  and,  on  earth,  the  one  Mother, 
the  one  Holy  Roman  Catholic  Church. — Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  ST.  JOSEPH. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

** There  was  not  found  the  like  to  Him." — Eccl.  44. 

/^UT  of  many  hearts  thoughts  shall  be  revealed," 
\J  thus  spoke  Simeon  in  the  temple  to  Mary,  the 
mother  of  the  divine  Child. 

Nineteen  centuries  have  passed  away  since  that 
hour,  and  how  wonderfully  have  the  predictions  of 
Simeon  and  that  of  Mary  herself,  which  she  so  sol- 
emnly made  from  Jerusalem's  height,  been  verified. 
"  Henceforth  all  generations  shall  call  me  blessed." 
Every  Catholic  heart  feels,  in  the  love  and  devotion 
of  a  child  of  God,  the  most  tender  veneration  to  Mary, 
and  a  confidence  which  has  never  yet  been  disap- 
pointed ;  and  the  same  is  true  of  the  holy  father  St. 
Joseph,  who,  with  Mary,  the  mother  of  the  divine 
Child,  presented  himself  before  Simeon.  To  Joseph, 
also,  Simeon  could  direct  those  words:  *'But  on  you, 
also,  the  hearts  of  men  shall  be  revealed." 

It  is  true  that  the  faithful  experience,  in  regard  to 
the  different  saints,  different  sentiments  of  love  and 
devotion,  and  have  for  this  or  that  saint  a  greater  ven- 
eration, or  a  greater  confidence  in  his  power. 

There  is,  however,  one  saint,  of  whom  it  can  be  as- 

(206) 


FIRST    SERMON.  207 

serted,  that  the  entire  body  of  the  faithful  unite  in  en- 
tertaining a  particular  veneration  for  him,  and  that 
saint  is  the  great  St.  Joseph. 

To  prove  the  truth  of  this,  you  may  ask  your  own 
hearts  :  "Do  you  not  feel  a  special  reverence  for  St. 
Joseph  ?  and  do  you  not  cherish  the  utmost  confidence 
^in  his  intercession?"  There  can  be  but  one  answer, 
and  that  is,  yes ;  but  still  I  doubt  whether  you  have 
considered  and  reflected  upon  the  justice  of  the  rea- 
sons which  prove  that  St.  Joseph  is  not  only  a  great 
and  mighty  saint,  but  that  his  intercession  is,  after  that 
of  Mary,  the  most  powerful  in  heaven. 

Let  me  place  clearly  before  your  eyes  to-day  that 
this  is  the  case. 

St.  Joseph,  after  Mary,  the  greatest  of  all  the  saints, 
raised  highest  in  Heaven,  Jiext  to  Mary,  will  be  the 
theme  of  my  sermon  for  his  feast  to-day. 

0  Mary,  bless  the  words  which  issue  from  my  lips 
for  the  glorification  of  your  virginal  spouse,  the  great 
St.  Joseph! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


I  say :  Honor  St.  Joseph  more  than  any  one  of  the 
other  saints ;  for  he  is  not  only  a  great  saint,  but  he 
is  also,  next  to  Mary,  the  holiest  of  them  all,  and,  there- 
fore, his  intercession  is  the  most  powerful. 

Certainly  it  is  not  becoming  for  us,  as  St.  Alphon- 
sus  Liguori,  with  other  doctors  of  the  Church,  admon- 


208  FEAST    OF    ST.   JOSEPH. 

ishes  us,  to  attempt  to  estimate  the  greatness  of  the 
saints,  according  to  our  own  pleasure  and  predilec- 
tion, and  in  this  way  maintain  a  preference  for  one 
above  the  other.  There  can  be  saints,  who,  beyond  a 
doubt,  exteriorly  accomplished  many  more  astonish- 
ing and  glorious  deeds  ;  but  God  sees  the  heart  of 
His  unknown  servants,  and  what  they  accomplished  A 
before  Him  will  not  be  known  by  the  world  till  the 
day  of  judgment,  which  will  reveal  it  all. 

However,  as  the  same  St.  Alphonsus  and  other 
equally  unquestionable  authorities  teach,  we  may,  in 
regard  to  the  holy  Apostles,  assert  without  hesitation 
that  they  are  elevated  in  heaven  above  all  the  choirs 
of  saints,  nearest  to  Christ. 

The  reason  of  this  assertion  lies  in  the  position 
which  they  held  upon  earth  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

For  what  determines  the  degree  of  our  future  glo- 
rification in  heaven  ?  First,  the  degree  of  election, 
which  was  bestowed  upon  us  on  earth  in  the  kingdom 
of  God ;  secondly,  the  measure  of  grace,  correspond- 
ing to  this  calling;  thirdly,  the  zeal  and  fidelity  with 
which  we  made  use  of  them. 

Let  us  apply  what  I  have  said  to  St.  Joseph. 

Christ  spent  an  entire  night  in  prayer,  and  selected 
twelve  from  among  the  whole  human  race  to  be  with 
Him.  These  twelve  formed  His  Apostolic  Coiirt. 
And  as  Christ  departed  this  world,  He  directed  to 
them  these  words  :  **  As  My  Father  has  sent  Me,  I 
also  send  you.  Whosoever  hears  you,  hears  Me. 
Whosoever  honors  you,  honors  Me.     Go  forth  into 


FIRST    SERMON.  209 

the  whole  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  all  nations. 
Whatsoever  you  bind  on  earth,  shall  be  bound  in 
heaven ;  and  whatsoever  you  shall  loose  on  earth, 
shall  be  loosed  in  heaven.  I  have  elected  you."  By 
these  words  Christ  refers  to  the  most  glorious  calling 
of  the  Apostles  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ  upon  earth, 
—a  calling  which  elevated  the  Apostles  above  all  the 
rest  of  the  human  race,  and  by  which  undoubtedly 
they  will  be  forever  distinguished  in  heaven  by  the 
most  resplendent  glory. 

''You  will  sit  with  Me  on  twelve  thrones;"  thus 
Christ  Himself  assures  us. 

But  however  glorious  was  the  calling  of  the  Apos- 
tles in  comparison  to  that  of  other  men,  how  immeas- 
urably higher  still  was  that  of  St.  Joseph ! 

Joseph,  by  the  side  of  Christ  here  on  earth,  was  to 
represent  the  place  of  the  heavenly  Father,  as  the 
foster-father  of  Jesus,  the  virginal  spouse  and  husband 
of  the  Mother  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Queen  of  heaven 
and  earth. 

He  stood  in  this  relation  already  at  the  manger, 
when  Jesus  entered'  into  the  world,  and  remained  not 
only  three  years,  as  the  Apostles  did,  by  His  side,  but 
during  nearly  thirty  years. 

The  Apostles  walked  with  Christ,  surrounded  by  a 
multitude  of  people  ;  Jesus  seldom  spoke  to  any  one 
of  them.  Joseph  abode  with  Jesus  alone,  and  con- 
versed with  Him  at  pleasure  at  any  time,  as  his  foster- 
father  was  entitled  to  do. 

Christ  confided  to  the  Apostles  the  establishment  of 


2IO  FEAST    OF    ST.   JOSEPH. 

His  Church.    To  St.  Joseph  was  assigned  the  care  of 
Him  who  is  the  Founder  of  that  Church. 

In  this  position,  as  the  foster-father  of  Christ,  it  was 
fitting  that  St.  Joseph  should  lead  so  holy  a  life  that, 
according  to  the  common  family  life,  it  might,  could 
such  a  thing  have  been  possible,  have  served  as  a 
model  even  for  the  Child  Jesus  Himself. 

St.  Joseph  had  to  lead  such  a  life  of  perfection  that 
Christ,  as  the  foster-Son,  could  not  but  feel  obliged 
to  honor  it  with  child-like  reverence. 

Such  was  not  the  case  with  the  Apostles.  They 
were  frail  men,  whom  Christ  found  it  sometimes  nec- 
essary to  reprove ;  where,  as  any  thing  like  this,  can 
never  be  thought  of  in  regard  of  St.  Joseph. 

Therefore,  St.  Joseph  must  surely  have  so  lived 
that  no  shadow  of  imperfection  ever  fell  upon  him ; 
yes,  so  as  to  leave  not  the  slightest  reason  for  us  to 
think  that  Jesus  could  ever  have  evinced  the  least  de- 
sire to  say:  **This  or  that  man  would  have  been 
more  worthy  than  you  to  be  My  foster-father."  No; 
the  testimony  which  Holy  Scripture  gave  to  St.  Jo- 
seph, "  He  was  a  just  man,"  literally  proves  itself. 
He  was  holy,  and  no  other  saint  ever  attained  to  as 
great  a  degree  of  sanctity. 

The  same  is  consequently  true  of  his  relations  with 
Mary.  The  man  is  the  head  of  the  family,  and  should, 
therefore,  in  his  situation,  live,  so  as  to  be  a  pattern  to 
his  wife. 

But  it  was  fitting  that  Mary  also  should  honor  St. 
Joseph,  and  that  he  should  live  so  that,  could  such  a 


FIRST    SERMON.  211 

thing  again  have  been  possible,  Mary,  who  is  the  mir- 
ror of  justice,  might  have  taken  example  from  him, 
and  had  reason  to  admire  the  sanctity  of  her  earthly 
spouse. 

What  a  saint,  therefore,  was  St.  Joseph  among  the 
saints  !  I  remarked  secondly  :  The  degree  of  glory  in 
heaven,  depends  on  the  measure  of  graces  which  are 
imparted  to  the  Christian  here  on  earth,  on  account 
of  his  state  in  life  ;  therefore,  a  fuller  rneasure  of 
grace  was  meted  out  to  the  Apostles  than  to  other 
saints  ;  since  Christ  elected  them  for  an  office  which 
was  above  that  of  all  others.  They  were  to  become 
the  heralds  of  faith,  the  foundation  and  pillars  of  glory, 
surrounding  the  throne  of  Jesus  Christ  in  heaven. 

If  this  be  so,  how  great  must  not  have  been  that 
measure  of  grace  which  was  imparted  to  St.  Joseph, 
whose  office  far  surpassed  that  of  the  Apostles,  as  we 
have  just  now  considered ! 

The  means  to  increase  grace  in  our  hearts  is,  above 
all,  prayer;  therefore,  even  the  Apostles  admonish  the 
faithful  to  pray  for  it. 

How  effective,  therefore,  must  the  prayer  of  St.  Jo- 
seph have  been,  of  him  who  lived  in  the  closest  prox- 
imity to  Jesus  and  Mary  ;  prayed  with  them,  and  to 
whom  they  surely  never  refused  a  petition.  Not  only 
that;  but  it  was  he  for  whom  Jesus,  as  his  foster-Son, 
and  Mary,  as  his  virginal  spouse,  were  obliged  to  pray. 

O  Joseph,  thrice  happy  saint!  St.  Bernardine  of  Si- 
enna is  right,  when  he  draws  from  this  single  reason 
the  conclusion  that  Joseph  was  the  greatest  of  all  the 


212  FEAST    OF    ST.    JOSEPH. 

saints  on  earth,  and  is  now  abiding  nearest  to  Mary 
in  heaven,  and,  after  her,  nearest  the  throne  of  the 
Source  of  all  graces  ! 

Finally,  the  degree  of  glory  in  heaven  depends  on 
the  fidelity  with  which  a  soul  uses  the  graces  imparted 
to  her  for  her  blessed  end.  Such  was  the  case  with 
the  Apostles.  They  lived  so  that  they  all  with  per- 
fect justice  could  cry  out  to  the  faithful,  with  St.  Paul : 
**Be  ye  my  imitators,  as  I  am  an  imitator  of  Christ." 

Still,  how  much  more  does  this  hold  good  of  our  holy 
father  St.  Josesh,  who  had  the  example  and  pattern 
of  Christ,  during  thirty  years  before  his  eyes,  and, 
therefore,  the  opportunity  of  earning  daily,  yes,  hourly, 
merits  of  the  highest  degree  of  recompense  in  heaven. 

The  Apostles  cared  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  which 
were  once  slaves  of  the  devil.  St.  Joseph  had  to  pro- 
vide for  Jesus  and  Mary!! 

What  is  done  for  a  dearly  beloved  child,  a  father 
will  reward  more  richly  than  he  will  benefits  conferred 
upon  a  number  of  others.  How  precious  in  the  eyes 
of  God,  therefore,  were  the  works  of  St.  Joseph,  for 
they  all  related  to  Jesus  and  Mary,  for  whom  he 
worked  and  lived.  Yes,  next  to  Mary,  we  dare  and 
must  call  out  to  St.  Joseph  :  /'  Others  have  gathered 
riches,  but  thou  dost  surpass  them  all."  Thus  St.  Jo- 
seph lived  up  to  his  latest  breath.  At  the  thought  of 
God  the  Judge,  St.  Peter  and  Paul,  and  with  them  all 
the  saints,  seemed  to  tremble,  but  such  was  not  the 
case  with  St.  Joseph.  Even  without  a  particular  rev- 
elation he  could  entertain  no  doubt  of  his  salvation. 


FIRST    SERMON.  213 

Jesus  and  Mary  were  in  duty  bound,  on  account  of 
his  relation  to  them,  to  pray  for  him,  and  St.  Joseph 
expired  in  their  arms. 

Besides  this,  a  tradition  exists  in  the  Church  which 
asserts  that  St.  Joseph  is  already  united  with  His  glo- 
rified body  in  heaven ;  and  would  it  not  be  most  ap- 
propriate that  he,  as  the  third  person  of  the  holy  fam- 
ily, should,  like  Jesus  and  Mary,  be  thus  glorified 
above  all  the  choirs  of  saints  ?  And  it  is  an  incontro- 
vertible fact  that  no  relics  of  the  great  saint  have  ever 
been  found. 

Honor,  therefore,  St.  Joseph  as  the  greatest  of 
saints,  above  all  the  other  celestial  inhabitants  of 
heaven.  Christ,  indeed,  speaks  of  St.  John  as  the 
greatest  of  all  born  of  a  woman  ;  but  as  it  is  evident 
that  he  and  his  blessed  Mother  are  exceptions  to  this, 
we  may  believe  that  St.  Joseph,  for  the  reason  above 
mentioned,  is  likewise  not  included.  His  place  in 
heaven,  as  it  was  on  earth,  is  by  the  side  of  Jesus  the 
King  of  all  saints,  and  by  Mary  their  Queen,  and  his 
glory  therefore  outshines  that  of  the  most  glorious. 
Therefore,  children  of  the  Church,  honor  him  as  the 
greatest,  the  dearest,  the  most  powerful  of  the  saints, 
and  recommend  yourselves  to  his  protection  now  and 
at  the  hour  of  your  death.    Amen ! 


214  FEAST   OF   ST.    JOSEPH. 

SECOND  SERMON. 

«'  Go  to  Joseph."— Gen.  xli. 

WHEN  our  thoughts  dwell  upon  the  saints  in 
heaven,  the  feeling  which  predominates  in  our  • 
hearts  is  admiration  of  their  sanctity  and  glory.  Our 
first  duty,  therefore,  is  to  show  them  the  veneration 
due  to  them,  as  the  glorified  children  and  servants  of 
God ;  and  among  them  all,  who  is  so  justly  entitled  to 
every  honor  from  us  as  St.  Joseph?  If  every  saint 
has  a  claim  upon  our  veneration,  how  much  more  is 
this  true  of  him,  the  holiest  of  all  the  saints,  whom 
we  have  already  contemplated,  body  and  soul,  by  the 
side  of  Jesus  and  Mary  on  his  heavenly  throne? 

We  are,  however,  accustomed  to  manifest  the  sen- 
timents of  our  veneration  toward  the  saints  by  offering 
prayers  in  their  honor,  by  singing  hymns  in  praise  of 
their  virtues,  and  by  saying  special  litanies  to  .them. 
But  more  than  all  do  we  show  our  reverence  and  es- 
teem by  seeking  refuge  in  their  intercession  in  all  our 
needs. 

In  this  regard,  each  one  can  follow  the  impulse  of 
his  own  devotion,  and  seek  the  protection  of  whatever 
saint  in  whose  intercession  he  has  the  most  confidence. 

But  how  great  soever  may  be  our  esteem  for  the 
ability  of  the  differe7it  saints  to  aid  us,  it  is,  above 
all,  St.  foseph,  in  whom  we  may,  with  the  greatest  as- 
surance of  being  heard,  confde  and  hope. 

Beloved  in  Christ,  listen  to  my  reasons  for  saying 


SECOND    SERMON.  215 

this,  and  reflect  upon  them  during  the  course  of  your 
whole  lives. 

0  Mary,  grant  that  we  may  ever  confide  in   the 
power  of  the  great  St.  Joseph  to  hear  and  help  us! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of   Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


If  I  wish  to-day  to  animate  your  courage  and  my 
own  so  that  it  may  never  falter — to  fly  to  St.  Joseph 
in  all  our  needs — nothing  can  serve  so  well  for  this  as 
the  declaration  of  a  saint  who  is  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  in  the  Church  of  God. 

St.  Teresa  says :  *'  I  do  not  remember  to  have  asked 
St.  Joseph  for  any  thing  which  he  did  not  grant  me." 
This  is  a  very  powerful  proof,  coming  as  it  does  from 
a  saint  who  certainly  never  was  guilty  of  exaggera- 
tion. What  St.  Teresa  contributed  on  her  part  that 
caused  St.  Joseph  always  to  grant  her  petitions,  was, 
no  doubt,  the  unbounded  confidence  with  which  she 
never  failed  to  approach  him ;  and  also  that  her  re- 
quests were  always  made  in  view  of  her  wonderful 
vow,  viz:  **  Ever  to  do  what  was  most  perfect."  Let 
us  imitate  her  example ;  and,  filled  with  gratitude,  we 
shall  give  that  honor  to  St.  Joseph  which  is  justly  due. 
As  to  the  confidence  which  St  Teresa  placed  in  him, 
I  am  not  astonished  at  its  extent;  but  rather  inclined 
to  wonder  that  it  is  not  shared  to  a  greater  degree  by 
all  the  faithful.  In  view  of  this,  I  deem  it  advisable  to 
consider  briefly  with  you  the  reasons  wherefore  she 


2l6  FEAST    OF    ST.    JOSEPH. 

entertained  It,  for  her  motiyes  for  doing  so  exist  for 
all  the  children  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

We  employ,  with  hope  and  trust,  the  interces- 
sion of  the  saints,  because  they  are  already  with 
Christ,  behold  God  face  to  face,  and  are  intimately 
united  with  Him.  Our  confidence  increases  in  pro- 
portion to  the  reasons  we  have  for  believing  that  they 
are  exalted  above  all  other  saints,  and  particularly 
glorified  before  God  according  to  their  calling  in  His 
kingdom  here  on  earth. 

Secondly,  the  greater  the  merit  through  which  they, 
while  on  earth,  attained  greater  holiness  by  God's  grace, 
the  more  firm  will  be  our  confidence  in  them,  especially 
when  they  are  saints  whom  our  Lord,  in  different  coun- 
tries and  in  some  special  time  of  need,  has  appointed 
intercessors  for  the  children  of  the  Church. 

In  regard  to  the  degree  of  glory  to  which  St.  Joseph 
is  elevated  in  heaven,  we  behold  him  by  the  side  of 
Jesus,  in  company  with  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  This 
exaltation  points,  at  the  same  time,  to  the  degree  of 
his  union  with  God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  the  Most  Holy  Trinity.  How  indeed  could 
God  the  Father  refuse  to  hear  the  prayer  of  him  whom 
He  appointed  to  be  His  representative  here  on  earth? 
In  like  manner  how  could  God  the  Son  deny  him  a  re- 
quest, since  He  was  subject  to  him  on  earth  as  his 
foster-Son  ?  And  how  could  God  the  Holy  Ghost  re- 
main deaf  to  any  prayer  of  his,  since  He  made  him 
protector  and  spouse  of  her  whom  we  have  the  right 
to  designate  as  spouse  of  that  Divine  Spirit  ?    Besides, 


SECOND    SERMON.  ■  217 

St.  Joseph  stands  at  the  side  of  Jesus,  who  is  at  the 
same  time  Man,  with  Mary,  His  mother.  Let  him  but 
give  the  faintest  sign,  and  Mary  surely  will  not  refuse 
to  unite  her  prayer  with  his  that  Jesus  will  grant  the 
petition  ;  for  Jesus  is  almighty,  and,  through  this  un- 
ion with  the  Saviour  and  His  mother,  St.  Joseph  be- 
comes, so  to  say,  almighty  himself. 

As  I  said  before,  our  confidence  in  the  intercession 
of  the  saints  is  increased  in  proportion  to  the  number 
of  merits  they  gathered  in  the  service  of  God,  who 
deigns  to  glance  at  them,  as  we  are  assured  in  the 
Holy  Scripture  itself  by  the  example  of  Moses,  Job, 
and  Jeremias  the  prophet. 

But,  in  regard  to  St.  Joseph,  the  merits  of  all  the 
other  saints  are  not  to  be  compared  to  his,  for  his  en- 
tire life  was  spent  in  the  most  tender  solicitude  for 
Jesus  and  Mary  themselves;  and,  therefore,  each  of 
his  works,  toils,  labors,  and  affections  were  of  immeas- 
urable value. 

Certainly  we  know  of  no  achievement,  individually, 
which  the  saints  performed,  and  therefore  we  are  not 
allowed  to  exalt  one  above  the  other;  but,  in  the  case 
of  St.  Joseph,  ke  stands  pre-eminent  above  the  rest, 
for  the  Scripture  calls  him  perfect,  just.  He  was,  like 
Mary,  a  true  mirror  of  perfection — without  a  blemish. 
How  great,  therefore,  must  be  the  pleasure  with  which 
the  Most  Holy  Trinity  contemplates  him  and  grants 
all  that  he  asks  ! 

I  repeat,  that  our  assurance  of  being  heard  by  the 
saints  is  more  certain  in  regard  to  those  who  have 


2l8  FEAST    OF    ST.    JOSEPH. 


performed  wonderful  things  for  God,  In  particular 
places,  and  whom  He  has  glorified  in  times  of  need 
as  special  intercessors. 

In  regard  to  the  calling  of  St.  Joseph,  it  was  most 
high  and  holy,  and  should  be  appreciated  by  all  the 
faithful ;  for  he  fostered  and  protected  the  Lord  and 
Creator  of  the  world,  to  whom  nothing  is  impos- 
sible. 

Very  justly,  therefore,  the  holy  fathers  behold,  in 
the  person  of  the  Egyptian  Joseph,  a  figure  of  St. 
Joseph.  The  former  was  called,  by  the  king,  savior, 
helper.  He  watched  over  the  granaries  and  store- 
houses in  which  the  grain  was  preserved  for  the  daily 
bread ;  but  St.  Joseph  of  the  New  Law  cared  for  the 
bread  which  was  one  day  to  serve  as  a  nourishment 
for  the  nations  of  the  whole  universe. 

Pharaoh  said  to  the  people:  ''  If  you  want  help,  go 
to  Joseph;"  and  our  heavenly  Father,  the  King  of 
kings,  says:  "■  If  you  need  help,  go  to  Joseph ;  I  will 
hear  his  prayers  for  you."  What  God  once  said  to 
the  three  friends  of  Job — "  Go  ye  to  Job,  he  will  pray 
for  you,  and  I  will  hear  his  prayers  " — is  most  true  in 
regard  to  St.  Joseph, — in  all  necessiMes  of  soul  and 
body  there  is  no  exception.  Child  of  the  Church, 
when  the  dark  clouds  of  grief  overshadow  your  soul, 
go  to  Joseph;. he  is,  through  Jesus  Christ,  the  con- 
soler of  the  afflicted:  When  you  are  tempted,  go  to 
Joseph;  call  upon  him,  and  the  temptations  will  van- 
ish, or  you  will  victoriously  conquer.  And  if  you 
should  yield  to  the  tempter's  voice,  and  fall  into  sin, 


SECOND    SERMON.  219 

Still  go  to  Joseph ;  he  will  obtain  for  you  the  grace  of 
true  repentance  and  conversion. 

Are  you  in  good  dispositions,  but  weak  and  tepid  ? 
Look  up  to  Joseph,  think  of  the  glorious  example  of 
his  sanctity,  and  he  will  obtain  for  you  the  grace  of 
zeal.  Are  you  afflicted  with  sickness?  Go  to  Joseph, 
for  he,  too,  is  the  health  of  the  sick.  If  a  St.  Francis 
Xavier  appeared  to  the  suffering  Marcellus,  during 
his  sickness,  and  said,  ''Invoke  me,  for  you  must 
know  that  I  have  influence  in  heaven,"  still  more 
forcibly  can  the  great  saint,  whom  we  devoutly, honor 
to-day,  declare  the  same. 

Yes,  even  in  your  temporal  necessities  call  upon 
him  with  confidence,  but  with  the  reservation  that 
what  you  petition  for  will  surely  tend  to  your  spiritual 
benefit;  and  through  his  powerful  intercession  your 
prayer  will  not  fail  to  obtain  a  hearing. 

And,  more  than  all,  since  the  Head  of  the  Church 
Himself  has  most  solemnly  dedicated  St.  Joseph  as 
the  patron  of  the  ''  universal  Church,"  we  should,  with 
the  utmost  faith,  seek  his  gracious  assistance.  If  we 
have  done  so  during  life,  then  he  will  surely  assist  us 
at  the  hour  of  death.  Then  let  us  pray  daily  for  this 
grace,  that  we,  like  St.  Joseph,  may  yield  up  our  spir- 
its in  the  arms  of  Jesus  and  Mary  ;  and  that,  behold- 
ing him  in  heaven,  we  may  eternally  thank  him  for  the 
L^races  which,  through  his  intercession,  we  obtained  on 
earth.    Amen ! 


15 


220  FEAST    OF    ST.  JOSEPH. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

**  Whose  name  was  Joseph,  of  the  house  of  David." — Luke  i,  27. 

WHO  could  even  think  of  the  glorious  St.  Joseph, 
and  not  feel  his  heart  instantly  filled  with  the 
deepest  veneration  and  admiration  for  him,  and  with- 
out being  at  once  impelled  to  have  recourse,  with  the 
greatest  confidence,  to  his  gracious  intercession  ?  Di- 
vine Providence  has  distinguished  him  in  so  wonder- 
ful a  manner  above  all  the  other  saints,  even  above 
the  whole  celestial  choir  of  angels,  by  elevating  him 
to  the  dignity  of  foster-father  of  Christ,  the  Incarnate 
Son  of  God,  and  virginal  spouse  of  the  Queen  of  all 
saints,  that  his  mediation  with  the  Source  of  all  grace 
can  not  fail  to  be  most  powerful. 

The  exceptional  graces  which  have  been  conferred 
upon  him  show  us  in  a  moment  that  the  glory  and 
power  which  surround  St.  Joseph  in  heaven,  must  be, 
indeed,  great  beyond  conception.  But,  beloved  in 
Christ,  it  is  not  sufficient  to  ad7nire  the  heroic  lives 
of  the  saints,  nor  even  to  feel  that  their  intercession 
is  most  powerful,  for  there  is  one  point  in  the  vener- 
ation of  the  saints  of  much  greater  importance,  and 
that  is,  that  we  are  zealous  in  imitating  their  virtues. 
It  is  this  disposition  and  determination  of  mind  which 
tend  to  develop  and  directly  test  the  greater  part  of 
the  veneration  which  we  profess  to  cherish  for  the 
saints,  and  it  is  particularly  in  this  regard  that  our 
confidence  will  show  itself  most  pleasing  to  God,  as 


THIRD    SERMON.  221 

well  as  to  the  dear  foster-father  of  the  little  infant 
Jesus. 

The  very  name  of  this  great  saint  contains  a  lesson 
in  itself  as  to  the  manner  in  which  our  endeavors  to 
imitate  him  should  proceed,  for  the  signification  of 
Joseph  is  **The  Increasing."  And  truly,  from  his  won- 
derful virtue,  he  is  fully  entitled  to  it,  for  the  light  of 
his  sanctity  grew  more  and  more  brilliant,  until  at  last 
it  merged  into  the  glory  of  the  eternal  day.  This  mean- 
ing will  intimate  to  us  the  importance  of  striving  ever 
to  advance  in  our  journey  along  the  way  of  perfection, 
that  we  may  resemble  the  more  closely  our  patron, 
St.  Joseph,  who  is  also  the  patron  of  the  universal 
Church. 

What  our  progress  in  virtue  partictilarly  depends 
upon  shall  be  made  plain  to  you  to-day  by  a  careful 
consideration  of  the  virtues  which  distinguished  St. 
Joseph,  a7id  which  in  the  course  of  my  sermon  I  will 
place  before  your  eyes. 

0  Mary,  obtain  for  us  the  grace  to  go  on  in  the  way 
of  perfection  with  a  zeal  similar  to  that  of  him  who  was 
appointed  by  God  to  assist  thee  in  the  guardianship  of 
thy  divine  Son. 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the  greater 
honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


**  Walk  before  Me,  and  be  perfect."  Thus  runs  the 
word  of  the  Lord  to  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faith- 
ful.   *'  Be  ye  perfect  as  your  Father  in  heaven  is  per- 


222  FEAST    OF    ST.  JOSEPH. 

feet,"  is  the  injunction  of  Christ  to  all  the  children  of 
men. 

These  words  of  the  Lord  indicate  at  the  same  time 
the  condition  in  which  we  must  be  to  satisfy  this  com- 
mand, or,  as  it  may  be  called,  this  challenge  to  the 
human  race.  We  must  strive  in  every  action  of  our 
lives  to  do  always  the  most  holy  and  divine  will,  even 
in  matters  which. appear  to  us  of  trifling  import;  and 
not  only  must  we  avoid  evil,  but  practise  with  contin- 
ually increasing  zeal  the  duties  of  our  state  of  life, 
never  for  a  moment  losing  sight  of  the  goal  we  wish 
to  reach — perfection. 

It  is  of  his  own  endeavors  that  St.  Paul  speaks  when 
he  says:  '*  Brethren,  I  do  not  count  myself  to  have  ap- 
prehended; but  one  diing  I  do,  forgetting  the  things 
that  are  behind,  and  stretching  forth  myself  to  those 
that  are  before,  I  pursue  towards  the  mark." 

In  a  greater  or  less  degree  every  child  of  the  Church 
is  interested  in  becoming  better  and  better,  after  a  true 
Catholic  knowledge  has  so  penetrated  his  heart  that 
he  appreciates  the  duty  which  rests  upon  him  to  ad- 
vance as  far  as  he  can  in  the  path  of  virtue. 

To-day  I  have  not  in  view  those  every-day  Christians 
who  are  satisfied  with  fulfilling  the  most  general  obli- 
gations which  devolve  upon  them  in  daily  life.  I  speak 
to  souls  who  complain  that,  with  all  their  care  to  be- 
come more  pleasing  to  God,  they  remain  always  the 
same,  and,  to  their  utter  discouragement,  make  no 
progress  whatever;  who  have,  indeed,  reason  to  say 
of  themselves :  "Instead  of  advanciiig,  we  go  back — 


THIRD    SERMON.  2  23 

we  know  It  too  well,  and,  alas!  others  remark  it  also, 
especially  those  who  are  constantly  with  us.  How  can 
we  help  it?"  In  answer  I  will  call  your  attention  to 
those  virtues  which  appeared  most  conspicuously  in  the 
life  of  St.  Joseph,  which  shine  forth  with  the  greatest 
splendor,  and  are  to  be  called  his  characteristic  virtues. 

In  the  first  place,  St.  Joseph  had  a  most  profound 
esteem  for  the  dignity  of  his  calling.  Like  St.  John 
the  Baptist,  he  was  most  deeply  impressed  with  the 
holiness  of  the  office,  which  enabled  him  to  walk  wor- 
thily by  the  side  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  and  the  great- 
ness of  the  obligation  which  rested  upon  him  to  fulfill 
its  duties  in  a  fitting  manner. 

The  great  point  wherein  so  many  Christians  are  de- 
ficient, is  a  want  of  appreciation  of  the  fact  that  God 
has  created  us  for  His  kingdom ;  and  that  where  Christ 
is,  there  is  His  kingdom ;  therefore  all  upon  earth  that 
prevents  us  from  following  Him  is  naught  but  vanity 
of  vanities,  and  never  sufficient  to  satisfy  our  hearts. 

The  generality  of  Christians  seem  to  place  worldly 
happiness  above  all;  their  principal  care  is  but  to 
possess  and  to  enjoy  for  as  many  years  as  they  can. 
Hence  their  carelessness  in  all  that  relates  to  their 
eternal  salvation,  on  the  one  hand,  and,  on  the  other, 
their  excessive  care  for  the  things  of  earth. 

Show  me  a  Christian  with  a  will  full  of  sincerity  in 
the  service  of  God,  perfectly  satisfied  to  embrace  the 
state  of  life  which  God  has  marked  out  for  him,  and 
he  will  surely  walk  before  the  Lord,  and  make  rapid 
progress  in  perfection. 


224  FEAST    OF    ST.  JOSEPH. 

St.  Joseph  lived  in  retirement  and  silence — a  hidden 
life.  He  lived  in  the  deepest  recollection  of  spirit, 
keeping  God  ever  in  view.  And  here  we  perceive 
one  of  the  principal  obstacles  which  stands  in, the  path 
of  so  many  who  fain  would  think  that  they  are  seek- 
ing the  most  rapid  way  to  perfection. 

The  constant  turmoil  in  which  they  live  is  not  con- 
ducive to  a  holy  life.  They  shrink  from  that  solitude 
wherein  the  Holy  Ghost  would  speak  to  their  hearts. 
They  are  given  to  much  conversing,  and  that,  where 
neither  duty  nor  Christian  charity  demands  it,  is  a  great 
source  of  tepidity  and  lukewarmness.  It  sets  a  most 
pernicious  example,  which  in  many  instances  destroys 
whatever  efforts  are  made  for  the  sanctification  of  souls. 

To  this  is  added  an  excessive  fondness  for  pleasure. 
What  was  at  once  the  solace,  the  joy,  and  the  recrea- 
tion of  St.  Joseph,  was  his  intercourse  with  Jesus  and 
Mary ;  and  this  will  impart  to  us  a  very  important  les- 
son. Christ  our  Lord  is  the  model  of  all  perfection, 
and  after  Him  ranks  Mary  as  the  most  faithful  imita- 
tor of  the  splendor  of  those  virtues  which  adorned  her 
Son.  For  thirty  years  St.  Joseph  had  this  immaculate 
Mother  and  her  divine  Son  daily  before  his  eyes.  He 
lived  with  Jesus  and  Mary,  which  circumstance  gave 
him  occasion  to  regulate  his  life  in  accordance  with 
their  example ;  and  this  he  did  with  an  assiduity  and 
a  fidelity  proportionate  to  his  knowledge  of  and  love 
for  them,  and  the  ardor  of  his  desire  to  resemble  them 
daily  more  and  more. 

But,  alas!    how  far  removed  are   men  in  general 


THIRD    SERMON.  225 

from  thus  knowing  and  loving  Christ  and  His  blessed 
Mother!  Happy  the  Christian  whose  heart  is  inflamed 
with  intense  fervor  for  this  dear  Mother  who  was  so 
tenderly  cherished  by  our  Saviour ;  he  will  continually 
contemplate  the  example  of  her  virtues,  and  fly  to  her 
refuge  in  every  spiritual  necessity.  Such  a  one  leads, 
indeed,  a  holy  and  zealous  life ;  for  love  for  Mary  can 
not  exist  where  there  is  no  love  for  Christ. 

Then,  by  frequent  reception  of  and  intimate  union 
with  Him  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  he  will  acquire 
a  love  of  prayer,  and  a  deeper  knowledge  of  Jesus  and 
the  Hfe  which  is  hidden  with  Christ  in  God.  This  will 
open  for  him  an  inexhaustible  source  of  grace  for  the 
sanctification  of  his  life,  and  replenish  his  heart  with 
an  ardent  love  of  the  cross,  and  with  perfect  resigna- 
tion to  the  most  holy  will  of  God. 

In  the  holy  life  of  the  great  St.  Joseph  these  dispo- 
sitions shine  most  brilliantly  forth.  God  tries  His  elect 
by  adversity  and  tribulations,  and  the  dear  saint  whose 
festival  we  celebrate  to-day  was  no  exception  to  the 
universal  decree.  Trials  fell  to  the  lot  of  St.  Joseph, 
and  he  bowed  in  submission  to  the  divine  will ;  he 
remained  silent,  speaking  not  even  to  the  angel  who 
spoke  to  him. 

What  a  heavenly  model  of  silence  for  all  who  are 
really  in  earnest  in  their  wish  to  advance  in  virtue ! 
What  resignation,  what  love  of  the  cross,  distinguished 
this  great  saint!  I  declare  to  you,  most  beloved  in 
Christ,  that  the  spirit  of  shrinking  from  the  cross,  from 
self-denial,  which  we  find  in  so  many  Christians,  is  one 


2  26  FEAST    OF    ST.  JOSEPH. 

of  the  principal  causes  of  the  little  progress  they  make 
in  virtue.  Oh,  what  joy  it  is  to  meet  one  who  has  a  ten- 
der devotion  to  the  cross  through  the  love  of  Christ, 
who  finds  therein  a  balm  for  every  ill,  and  who,  when 
the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  heavy  upon  him,  is  willing  to 
give  himself  to  God  without  reserve ! 

Therefore,  O  St.  Joseph!  we  pray  thee  obtain  for 
us  grace  and  strength  to  imitate  those  virtues  which 
shone  with  such  brilliant  luster  in  thy  life,  and  we 
shall,  no  doubt,  if  consistent,  reach  the  height  of 
Christian  perfection. — Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  ANNUNCIATION, 


FIRST  SERMON. 

"And  the  angel  Gabriel  was  sent  by  God  into  a  city  of  Galilee  called 
Nazareth,  and  the  name  of  the  virgin  was  Mary." — Luke  i. 

ATHWART  the  somber  season  of  Lent,  the  deep- 
ening shadows  of  which  grow  darker  still  until 
the  bright  dawn  of  the  resurrection  morn  dispels 
their  gloom,  there  flashes  the  glory  of  a  divine  fact 
which  gives  to  this  festival  of  the  Annunciation  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary  a  rank  equal  to  that  of  the  great- 
est feast  of  the  Church.  This  divine  fact  may  well 
inspire  our  hearts  with  the  most  tender,  the  most  ex- 
quisite, the  most  joyful,  affections  of  thanksgiving,  for 
to  its  existence  we  are  indebted  for  the  inestimable 
grace  of  Redemption. 

It  was  upon  this  day,  beloved  in  Christ,  that  the 
angel  Gabriel — to  whom  God  had  given  in  charge  the 
precious  soul  of  her  whom  He  had  from  all  eternity 
chosen  to  be  the  Mother  of  the  Word  Incarnate — bore 
to  the  tender  Virgin,  whose  purity  had  never  been 
tarnished  by  the  slighest  breath  of  evil,  the  joyful 
tidings  that  she  was,  while  preserving  the  pearl  of 
virginity,  to  becom.e  the  Mother  of  God. 

It  was  upon  this  day,  then,  that  the  Son  of  God 

assumed  our  human  nature  for  the  redemption  and 

(227) 


228  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

salvation  of  fallen  man  ;  and  yet  there  is,  in  general, 
but  too  little  attention  devoted  to  the  consideration 
of  the  mystery  we  commemorate  thereon;  for,  by  the 
greater  number  of  Christians,  it  is  regarded  and 
celebrated  simply  as  a  feast  in  honor  of  Mary.  But, 
in  fact,  it  is  the  very  corner-stone  upon  which  rest 
all  the  other  feasts, — commemorating,  as  it  does,  an 
event  which  can  not  fail  to  fill  the  human  heart  with 
adoration,  gratitude,  and  the  most  intense  consola- 
tion. 

Every  thing  depended  upon  the  decree  of  God 
whether,  in  His  infinite  mercy,  He  would  be  pleased 
to  stretch  forth  His  arm  and  rescue  the  human  race 
from  the  abyss  of  a  wretchedness  too  profound  almost 
to  be  conceived.  But,  since  ''the  angel  of  the  Lord 
declared  unto  Mary"  the  message  of  salvation,  and 
the  Son  of  God  assumed  on  that  very  day  her  fiesh, 
every  thing  was  changed ;  and  from  the  Feast  of  the 
Annunciation  came  forth  Christmas,  Easter,  Pentecost, 
and  the  eternal  triumph  of  the  Church. 

Let  us  consider  to-day  the  message  of  the  angel  to 
Mary  in  its  divine  sublimity,  as  well  as  in  the  impor- 
tance with  which  it  is  invested  for  the  children  of  men, 

0  Mary,  who  was  already  full  of  grace  when  the 
angel  saluted  thee,  and  elected  thee  not  only  to  be- 
come the  Mother  of  God,  but  also  Mother  of  all  the 
children  of  God,  accept  us  to-day  as  thy  children! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


FIRST    SERMON.  2  29 

If,  my  beloved  Christians,  the  words  of  the  holy  gos- 
pels— whenever  we  open  the  pages  of  the  inspired  vol- 
ume, but  especially  when  we  hear  them  from  the  lips 
of  the  priest  on  the  occasion  of  the  celebration  of  the 
feasts  of  the  Church — tend  ever  to  inspire  us  with  joy, 
and  to  elevate  our  hearts  to  God,  this  is  especially  true 
of  the  gospel  which  is  set  apart  for  this  joyous  day. 

*'At  that  time  the  angel  Gabriel  was  sent  to  a  town 
named  Nazareth,  to  a  Virgin  called  Mary."  Blessed 
words!  for,  as  often  as  we  hear  them,  the  happy  event 
which  we  commemorate  to-day  arises  immediately 
before  our  eyes,  clear  and  distinct,  as  if  we  had  been 
present  when  the  glory  of  the  angel  irradiated  the 
humble  little  room  at  Nazareth.  In  spirit,  we  behold 
the  Immaculate  Virgin,  united  with  her  God  in  fervent 
prayer,  oblivious  of  all  but  Him,  when,  lo!  an  angel  of 
the  Lord  appeared  before  her.  We  can  almost  hear 
his  voice,  in  the  tones  of  which  still  linger  the  sweet- 
ness of  that  celestial  music  to  which  it  were  bliss  to  list. 

We  have  every  reason  to  learn  and  to  ponder  deeply 
upon  the  signification  of  this  angelic  message,  which 
was  a  most  holy,  a  most  solemn,  a  most  momentous, 
a  most  consoling,  and  joyful  message,  both  for  the 
Blessed  Virgin  and  for  her  devoted  children. 

In  every  message  the  importance  is  increased  or 
lessened  according  to  the  dignity  of  the  sender.  A 
message  is  brought  to  us  by  a  relative,  acquaintance, 
or  inferior,  and  produces  but  little  effect  upon  us ;  we 
may  not  even  delay  the  messenger  long  enough  to 
hear  what  he  has  to  say. 


230  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

But  suppose  a  person  of  high  rank  has  something 
to  say  to  us, — a  Prince,  a  King,  an  Emperor,  the  Presi- 
dent, the  Pope  !  With  what  consideration  we  treat  the 
messenger  !  How  very  attentively  we  Hsten,  that  we 
may  know  precisely  what  he  has  to  Impart !  Imagine, 
then,  how  important,  and,  at  the  same  time,  how  holy, 
was  the  message  of  the  angel !  It  came  from  the 
Most  Holy  Trinity — God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost !  It  was  the  message  of  the  Infinite  Majesty,  the 
most  merciful  sanctity  of  God  to  Mary,  and,  through 
her,  to  the  entire  human  race  ! 

It  was  a  most  solemn  message.  What  Invests  a 
message  with  significance,  is  the  form  and  manner  In 
which  it  Is  transmitted.  Here  we  behold  an  archan- 
gel— one  of  the  seven  princes  of  heaven — declaring 
the  will  of  the  Most  High;  and  who  can  conceive 
what  myriads  of  angels  attended  Gabriel  when  he 
presented  himself  before  Mary,  Queen  of  angels! 
Who  can  picture  the  profound  respect  with  which  he 
saluted  her,  in  whom  he  already  beheld  the  Mother 
of  the  Son  of  God  made  man !  With  what  deep  ven- 
eration he  addressed  her,  the  chosen  one  of  all  the 
daughters  of  Eve, — destined  from  all  eternity  to  be 
exalted  as  mistress  above  the  whole  celestial  choir! 

It  was  a  most  momentous  message,  for  the  subject 
of  a  message  is  what  constitutes  its  importance.  It 
made  known  to  the  world,  to  the  human  race,  that 
the  •  possessions  lost  through  Adam  would  be  re- 
stored; it  heralded  a  great  victory  gained  over  the 
enemy  of   souls ;   it  announced    that   the    foe,   from 


FIRST    SERMON.  23 1 

whom  death  and  destruction  would  surely  come,  was 
shorn  of  his  terrible  strength.  Let  us  suppose  that,' 
being  under  sentence  of  death,  we  had  been  granted 
a  reprieve,  or  rather  that  the  sentence  had  been  en- 
tirely revoked,  and  that  we  had  come  into  the  pos- 
session of  a  great  fortune,  by  which  our  happiness  is 
forever  secured :  would  we  not  consider  the  message 
which  brought  us  the  news  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  ? 

Apply  not  one  but  all  of  these  circumstances  to  the 
message  conveyed  to  Mary  by  the  angel,  and  we  shall 
realize  in  some  degree  its  stupendous  character.  Adam 
listened  to  the  voice  of  the  seducer,  and  his  fall  de- 
prived his  hapless  posterity  of  their  promised  happi- 
ness,— that  of  being  one  day  permitted  to  behold  God 
face  to  face,  in  the  possession  and  enjoyment  of  His 
beatitude  and  all  the  exquisite  joys  of  heaven. 

All  this  was  lost.  However,  amid  the  gloom  which, 
for  four  thousand  years,  hung  over  a  world  groveling 
in  darkness  and  in  sin,  there  glimmered  one  ray  of 
light  in  the  promise  of  a  coming  Redeemer;  but  the 
time  set  apart  for  the  expected  and  desired  event  was 
yet  unknown. 

Then,  when  the  fullness  of  time  was  accomplished, 
Gabriel  appeared  and  announced  unto  Mary  that  she 
had  been  appointed  or  chosen  to  become  the  Mother 
of  the  Messiah, — of  that  child  whose  birth  was  her- 
alded to  the  watching  shepherds  by  strains  of  angelic 
music,  as  the  celestial  choir  adored  the  Infant  God. 
Humanly  speaking,  mankind  had  indeed  reason  to  be 
alarmed  ;  for,  although  the  promise  of  a  Redeemer  had 


232  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

already  been  made  in  paradise  to  our  first  parents, 
'  yet  the  wickedness  which  prevailed  over  the  whole 
earth  was  so  terrible,  that  man  might  well  tremble 
lest  the  Lord  should  declare  it  to  be  forfeited  entirely. 
He  might  well  apprehend  that  it  was  a  conditional 
promise  ;  the  more  so  since  four  thousand  years  had 
already  rolled  down  the  stream  of  time,  and  the  Re- 
deemer did  not  appear,  while  man,  through  his  own 
fault,  sank  deeper  and  deeper  into  the  abyss  of  sin! 
The  word  of  the  angel  to  Mary  relieved  the  faithful 
few  from  this  harrowing  anxiety. 

''The  Saviour  cometh!"  We  are  rescued  from  sin 
and  hell !  From  this  day  the  heart  of  the  Redeemer  will 
throb  beneath  the  loving  heart  of  the  Virgin  Mother, 
who  will  present  His  first  petition  for  the  salvation  of 
mankind  to  the  eternal  Father. 

Joyful  message,  which  brought  such  happy  tidings 
to  us!  To  regain,  through  Christ,  the  precious  gift  of 
heavenly  grace ;  to  become  again,  through  Him,  chil- 
dren of  God  ;  to  behold  the  gates  of  heaven  open  for 
us,  and  to  have  it  in  our  power  to  enjoy  the  delights  of 
that  celestial  paradise  for  an  eternity  which  will  never, 
never  end, — Mary  for  our  Mother,  and  the  Lord  for 
our  portion  forever! 

It  is  true  that  our  individual  sins  had  opened  still 
wider  the  infernal  gates,  and  made  deeper  far  the 
yawning  pit  of  hell ;  but,  through  the  merits  of  Christ, 
the  hope  of  a  blessed  pardon  was  held  out  to  all  ''men 
of  good  will." 

The  terrestrial  paradise  was  lost,  it  is  true ;  but  in 


FIRST    SERMON.  233 

its  place  the  kingdom  of  God  on  earth — the  Church — 
would  henceforth  become  for  man  a  garden  of  delights. 
The  sorrow,  the  pain,  the  angu'ch  of  earthly  trouble 
must  still  encompass  us,  no  longer,  however,  as  pun- 
ishments for  sin,  but  to  serve  as  occasions  of  merit  for 
the  increase  of  our  eternal  joy  and  happiness. 

The  concupiscence  of  the  flesh,  indeed,  should  still 
remain  a  constant  cause  of  warfare ;  but,  as  a  com- 
pensation, the  measure  of  grace  would  be  so  multi- 
plied as  to  enable  the  Christian  to  valiantly  combat 
and  bear  away  the  victor's  crown,  and  exalt  his  glory 
in  heaven. 

The  penalty  of  death  had  been  pronounced  upon 
man ;  but,  through  that  dread  decree,  he  can  attain 
to  the  possession  of  a  glory  and  delight  which  would 
never  have  been  his  had  not  Adam  sinned  in  paradise. 

In  a  word,  infinitely  more  was  conferred  upon  man 
through  Christ,  the  Son  of  Mary,  the  heavenly  Adam, 
than  he  lost  through  Adam,  our  first  parent.  We  not 
only  became  again  children  of  God,  and  gained  once 
more  the  right  to  call  Him  Father ;  but  we  were  per- 
mitted to  call  His  Incarnate  Son  our  Brother.  For, 
since  the  Son  of  God  assumed  our  flesh  and  blood 
from  Mary,  He  is,  therefore,  true  Man,  even  as  from 
all  eternity,  in  His  own  divine  Person,  He  was  and  is 
God.  Oh,  what  an  important,  what  a  welcome  and 
consoling  message ! 

All  that  can  bring  to  the  human  heart  the  sweetest 
joy  and  solace  is  comprised  in  this  message  of  the 
angel  to  Mary,  as  we  will  see  if  we  take  to  heart  all 


234  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

that  has  been  said, — not  merely  hearing  and  believing 
it  with  a  dead  or  dying  faith,  but  also  considering  and 
applying  it  to  ourselves. 

In  this,  unfortunately,  we  are  often  wanting.  Too 
many  Christians  are  prone  to  celebrate  the  mysteries 
commemorated  by  the  festivals  of  the  Church  only  in 
their  general  relation,  and  not  by  reflecting  what  in- 
fluence those  articles  of  faith  and  divine  truths  should 
individually  effect  for  us. 

Yes,  beloved  in  Christ,  be  ye  who  ye  may,  the  mes- 
sage of  salvation  directed  by  Gabriel  to  Mary  bears 
an  individual  relation  to  every  one  of  you,  even  as  if 
there  had  been  but  the  one  soul  on  earth  for  whose 
salvation  the  Saviour  came. 

You  were  sunk  deep  in  the  abyss  of  woe,  not  only 
through  the  disobedience  of  Adam,  but  through  innu- 
merable personal  sins,  which  threatened  you  with  de- 
struction for  time  and  eternity.  But  the  Saviour  was 
conceived  in  the  chaste  womb  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and 
the  lovely  dawn  of  a  blessed  hope  brightened  the  dark- 
ened world.  This  hope  has  a  more  secure  foundation 
for  you,  since,  without  any  merit  of  your  own,  you  have 
been  called  to  be  members  of  the  true  Church. 

Try,  therefore,  before  you  leave  this  holy  place,  to 
excite  in  your  hearts  all  those  affections  which  ani- 
mated the  heart  of  Mary  on  receiving  the  message  of 
the  angel.  First,  adore  and  thank  God  for  having  cre- 
ated you  to  His  own  image  and  likeness,  and  for  hav- 
ing spared  you  when  you  were  yet  in  a  state  of  sin ; 
but,  above  all,  for  havine  sent  His  onlv-beeotten  Son 


FIRST    SERMON.  235 

to  redeem  and  save  you.  Renew  your  resolution  to  live 
as  true  children  of  God,  as  if  Christ  had  been  received 
into  your  hearts  also  as  the  pledge  of  a  better  life. 

Thus  you  will  become  strong;  and,  although  you 
may  not  have  the  happiness  enjoyed  by  the  Immacu- 
late Virgin  and  Mother — of  walking  by  the  side  of 
the  Incarnate  Son  of  God — you  may,  while  living  as 
her  faithful  children,  enter  one  day  into  the  communi- 
cation of  her  glory  and  beatitude  as  children  of  God, 
also  rescued  through  the  incarnation  of  His  eternal 
Son. — Amen ! 


16 


236  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 


SECOND  SERMON. 

*'Mary  said:  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it  done  to  me  accord- 
ing to  Thy  word." — Luke  i,  38. 

THE  glorious  festival  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
from  one  point  of  view,  refers  expressly  and  sol- 
emnly to  the  message  of  the  angel  to  Mary ;  for  that 
message  contains  precisely  what,  properly  speaking, 
renders  life  valuable  for  us.  As  the  Church  entones  in 
the  Easter  preface  on  Holy  Saturday:  "  Of  what  use 
would  it  be  to  haX^e  been  born,  had  we  not  had  the 
happiness  to  be  redeemed?" 

The  work  of  the  redemption  and  delivery  of  man 
was  destined  to  be  accomplished  through  the  incarna- 
tion of  the  Son  of  God.  This  divine  truth,  the  per- 
sonal union  of  our  human  nature  with  the  second  per- 
son of  the  Blessed  Trinity,  is  the  most  stupendous 
fact  which  the  omnipotence  of  God  ever  effected  or 
could  effect.  Though  He  might  call  into  existence 
myriads  of  worlds,  the  splendor  of  which  would  far  sur- 
pass this  globe  of  ours,  such  a  proof  of  His  power 
would  never  appear  so  incomprehensible  to  us,  as, 
that  God,  in  the  might  of  His  immutable  and  eternal 
nature,  united  Himself,  in  the  course  of  time,  with  a 
creature — a  created  nature — and  entered  this  world  in 
suffering,  and  all  for  us! 

This  article  of  faith  also  points  to  the  great  mystery 
of  the  freedom  of  the  will,  which,  however,  without  the 
concurrence  of  God,  can  do  nothing,  entirely  nothing, 


SECOND    SERMON.  237 

absolutely  nothing  in  the  order  of  salvation ;  and  this 
<:o-operation  is  required  by  God  to  enable  us  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  fruits  of  the  redemption.  This  will  be 
understood  when  I  say  that  the  will  remains  perfectly 
free  in  spite  of  its  total  dependence  upon  God ;  and, 
therefore,  man  must,  of  his  own  voluntary  choice,  em- 
brace the  service  of  God. 

Even  from  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  God  required 
consent  before  the  incarnation  of  His  divine  Son  took 
place;  therefore, 

If  we  wish  to  participate  in  the  fruits  of  incarnation y 
we  must,  with  the  dispositio7is  of  her  most  obedient 
heart,  confess  before  God:  ''Behold  the  servant  of  the 
Lord;  be  it  done  to  me  according  to  His  word!'' 

0  Mary,  obtain  for  us  to-day  from  Jesus,  the  blessed 
fruit  of  thy  womb,  the  grace  of  perfect  submission  to 
the  will  of  God ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


Christ  was,  upon  one  occasion,  in  company  with 
Mary  His  mother,  and  other  relatives  according  to  the 
flesh,  when  His  benign  gaze  rested  suddenly  upon 
them,  and  He  gave  utterance  to  the  following  words : 
*'  Whosoever  doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  who  is  in 
heaven  is  my  mother,  my  brother."  By  these  words 
Christ  instructs  us  that  there  is  a  spiritual  union  re- 
garding the  effects  of  nature  and  grace,  and  that  it 
depends  on  the  co-operation  of  our  free  will  as  to  how 


238  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

far  we  victoriously  complete  the  great  affair  of  our 
salvation,  and,  according  to  this  measure,  obtain  a 
higher  or  lower  degree  of  glory  in  heaven.  I  apply 
this  truth  to  the  event  we  celebrate  to-day,  and  say : 
**  As  the  Lord  sent  an  angel  to  Mary  with  the  message 
of  salvation,  so  God  sends  to  every  human  soul  that 
same  message,  through  a  call  to  the  Holy  Catholic 
Church,  through  the  interior  encouragement  of  grace, 
and  through  exterior  circumstances  ;  and,  as  He  looked 
for  the  consent  of  Mary  from  the  angel,  so  does  He 
require  our  consent  to  follow  the  call  of  grace  by  a 
free  decision  of  will."  In  this  way,  beloved  in  Christ, 
we  shall  spiritually  receive  Christ,  as  if  He  had  been 
indeed  born  therein,  and,  by  the  continued  co-opera- 
tion of  our  will,  He  will  grow  in  our  hearts  to  the  per- 
fection of  the  life  of  grace.  In  this  regard. every  thing 
depends  on  the  sincerity,  firmness,  and  fidelity  of  the 
will. 

When  the  angel  addressed  Mary  desiring  her  con- 
sent to  become  the  mother  of  God — of  the  Son  of 
God  made  man — it  was  not  alone  honor  and  glory 
which  he  offered  her;  for  when  that  radiant  being 
stood  before  her,  she  saw  in  spirit  all  the  sacrifices, 
renunciations,  mortifications,  sufferings  the  most  in- 
tense, and  anguish  the  most  bitter,  which  she  would 
have  to  undergo  in  the  days  of  her  earthly  pilgrimage, 
by  becoming  the  mother  of  Jesus.  She  beheld  the  eve 
of  the  first  Christmas,  when  she  and  her  holy  spouse, 
St.  Joseph,  two  homeless  wanderers,  sought  refuge  in 
the  stable  at  Bethlehem,  because  there  was  no  room 


SECOND    SERMON.  239 

for  them  In  the  inn.  The  flight  into  Egypt,  the  weary, 
toilsome  life  which  she,  with  her  dear  ones,  led  both 
there  and  at  Nazareth,  arose  before  her.  And  the 
vail  of  futurity  was  withdrawn  that  she  might  see  the 
terror  and  orrief  which  would  overwhelm  her  soul  when, 
later  on,  she  would  accompany  her  Son  on  His  apos- 
tolic journeys  through  the  land.  All  that  the  malice, 
obstinacy,  and  falsehood  of  His  persecutors  would 
caus6  that  divine  Son  to  suffer,  she  saw;  and  more 
than  all,  her  spirit  well  nigh  fainted  within  her  when, 
in  anticipation,  her  maternal  heart  was  rent  with  the 
anguish  of  that  dread  day  on  which  her  Son  would  die. 
Ah !  then  indeed  she  felt  the  sharpness  of  that  sword 
of  grief  which,  according  to  holy  Simeon,  was  to 
pierce  her  heart  when  she  would  receive  the  lacer- 
ated body  of  her  beloved  Son  after  He  had  expired 
upon  the  cross  :  and  thus  would  be  Mary  the  Queen 
of  martyrs,  the  mother  of  Jesus,  who  is  the  King  of 
martyrs ! 

The  sacrifice  which  God  required  of  her  rose  up  in 
its  might  on  that  Feast  of  the  Annunciation — in  ages 
past  and  gone — and  yet  she  hesitated  not  one  mo- 
ment in  her  submissive  acceptance,  but  gave  an  im- 
mediate and  decided  consent,  in  those  words  which 
millions  of  devout  Christians,  her  loving  children,  re- 
peat whenever  the  Angelus  bell  peals  forth  at  morn- 
ing, noon,  and  eve:  ''Behold  the  handmaid  of  the 
Lord ;  be  it  done  unto  me  according  to  Thy  word." 

Let  me  make  the  application,  and  say  that  invita- 
tions are  given  to  every  human  soul  to  enter  into  the 


240  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

bonds  of  fraternal  relationship  with  Christ ;  but  we 
must  take  special  care  to  know  how  we  can  fulfill  the 
holy  will  of  God  in  the  most  perfect  manner,  that  we 
may  act  ever  as  His  own  true  children,  and  derive  the 
richest  fruits  from  the  mystery  we  commemorate  to- 
day. We  must  keep  ever  in  view  the  important 
truth  that  if  we  would  belong  to  Christ,  imitate  Him 
and  secure  our  eternal  salvation,  we  must  live  in  a 
manner  wholly  different  from  the  children  of*  this 
world.  We  have  not  been  placed  upon  earth  to  care 
for  its  perishable  treasures,  empty  honors,  and  transi- 
tory joys.  The  watchword  of  our  efforts  to  attain  eter- 
nal life,  whether  we  be  wealthy  or  poor,  blessed  with 
health  or  afflicted  with  sickness,  whether  God  in  His 
goodness  grants  us  "  length  of  days,"  or  early  calls. 
us  to  Himself,  should  be:  "  Thy  will  be  done."  ''  Be- 
hold the  handmaid  of  the  Lord  ;  may  it  be  done  to  me 
according  to  Thy  word."  Beloved  Christians,  if,  in 
accordance  with  this  declaration  the  most  holy  will  of 
God  should  please  to  deprive  you  of  worldly  wealth, 
or  of  what  is  more  precious  still,  your  honor,  that  fair 
fame  which  is  so  justly  dear  to  your  hearts ;  if  you 
should  even  be  covered  with  ignominy,  and  treated  as 
the  last  of  your  kind,  your  unfaltering  reply,  when  the 
bitter  cup  is  held  to  your  quivering  lips,  should  be : 
''  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord ;  be  it  done  to  me 
according  to  Thy  word." 

Finally,  if  God  should  demand  that  in  the  perform- 
ance of  your  daily  duties  your  health  and  strength 
give  way,  and  that  you  languish  a  helpless  sufferer 


SECOND    SERMON.  24I 

for  years  ;  nay,  if  He  require  the  sacrifice  of  life  itself, 
and  that  under  the  most  painful  circumstances,  you 
should  be  ready  to  say  with  willing  heart:  ''  Father, 
Thy  will  be  done."  ''I  am  Thy  servant.  Thy  hand- 
maid;  be  it  done  to  me  according  to  Thy  word." 

O  happy,  thrice  happy  the  Christian  whose  heart 
is  thus  disposed ;  for  the  Saviour  has  indeed  chosen 
it  for  his  abiding-place,  and  Jesus  will  lead  him  on  to 
the  perfection  of  spiritual  life  !  But  take  care  lest  Sa- 
tan assume  the  garb  of  an  angel  of  light,  and  deceive 
you,  as  he  so  often  does,  with  those  over  whom  he 
fears  he  has  lost  his  power,  and  whom  he  tries  to  de- 
lude by  such  diabolical  arts. 

Mary,  the  most  prudent  Virgin,  as  she  is  styled  by 
the  Church,  evinced,  indeed,  an  eminent  degree  of 
prudence  by  her  manner  of  testing  the  truth  of  the 
angelic  message.  "  How  can  this  be?  "  she  said,  ''  for 
I  know  not  man  ;  "  and  not  until  the  satisfactory  reply 
of  the  celestial  guide  was  given  did  she  utter  the  words 
which  saved  us  from  sin  and  hell.  She  had  every 
reason  to  believe  that  it  was  an  angel  from  heaven 
who  appeared  before  her,  and  yet  she  was  alarmed, 
and  distrusted  his  address.    What  an  example  for  us ! 

Those  by  whom  we  are  surrounded,  to  whom  we  go 
for  counsel,  are  men,  frail  and  sinful  men,  liable  to 
err, — wearing  an  appearance  of  zeal;  but  perhaps  in- 
wardly, they  are  devouring  wolves.  Prudence !  Oh, 
how  essential  it  is  to  the  fulfillment,  not  of  our  own 
will  but  of  the  most  holy  will  of  God.  Tr2ie  prudence 
we  need ;  for  there  is  no  greater  bar  to  our  sanctifi- 


242  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

cation,  and  to  the  salvation  of  the  Church  in  general, 
than  its  counterfeit  which  prevails  to  such  an  extent ; 
that  worldly  prudence  which,  in  all  that  concerns  the 
salvation  of  our  souls,  means  ruin.  To  one  who  has 
only  earthly  motives  in  view  many  things  will  seem 
but  folly,  and  yet  they  are  the  very  acme  of  prudence. 
Many  Christians,  through  human  respect,  or  a  fear 
lest  others  should  be  unwilling  to  assist  them,  refrain 
from  soliciting  their  aid  in  some  w^ork  for  the  honor 
of  God  ;  for  example,  the  propagation  of  His  kingdom 
on  earth,  the  Holy  Church.  The  angel  who  delivered 
the  message  to  Mary,  might  well  teach  us  a  lesson 
of  faith  ;  for  the  miracle  which  he  announced  to  the 
holy  Virgin  shows  us  that  nothing  is  impossible  with 
God.  O  children  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church!  in 
this,  our  nineteenth  century,  millions  of  wonders  ef- 
fected by  God  are  placed  before  our  spiritual  vision ; 
if,  then,  we  are  convinced  that  this  or  that  is  truly  the 
holy  will  of  God,  our  own  weakness  should  never  for 
a  moment  be  a  cause  of  dejection  or  discouragement. 
The  more  unworthy  we  are  in  ourselves,  the  more  re- 
splendent will  be  the  glorification  of  God,  if,  in  spite 
of  all  impediments,  the  work  is  accomplished  by  us, 
and  accomplished  well.    Therefore,  in  every  event  of 

life    our   watchword    should   be   those  words  of  the 
» 

Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  so  touching  in  their  humility,  so 
admirable  in  their  submission  to  the  divine  will:  "  Be- 
hold the  handmaid  of  the  Lord ;  may  it  be  done  unto 
me  according  to  Thy  divine  will !  " — Amen ! 


THIRD    SERMON.  243 


THIRD  SERMON. 

"  And  the  angel  said  to  her  :  Hail  full  of  grace :  the  Lord  is  with  thee." — 
Luke  i,  28. 

THE  beautiful  festival  which  we  celebrate  to-day  is 
called  the  Feast  of  the  Annunciation  ;  yet  it  might 
as  fittingly  be  known  as  that  of  the  Redemption  of  the 
World. 

The  angel  salutes  Mary  as  the  chosen  Mother  of  the 
promised  Messiah,  who  is  now  about  to  accomplish  vis- 
ibly on  earth  the  work  of  the  most  merciful  love  of  God 
for  mankind,  "in  the  fullness  of  time,"  as  the  prophets 
of  old  predicted  it  centuries  before. 

To  understand  clearly  the  signification  of  this  feast 
we  must  earnestly  consider  the  aim  and  end  of  the 
whole  creation,  and  what  relation  the  grace  of  redemp- 
tion bears  to  the  fallen  human  race.  The  aim  and  end 
of  the  creation,  my  dearest  Christians,  is  the  exterior 
glorification  of  God.  The  various  relations  of  His  in- 
finite perfections  toward  creatures  should  serve  as  re- 
flections of  the  different  attributes  of  these  infinite 
perfections. 

We  behold  in  the  angelic  world  of  heaven  the  in- 
finite sanctity  of  God,  while  those  fallen  spirits  who 
suffer  in  the  abyss  of  hell  reflect  the  infinite  justice 
of  their  Sovereign  Lord.  The  whole  exterior  visible 
world  proclaims  with  many  tongues  His  omnipotence, 
wisdom,  benignity,  and  solicitude  for  the  vast  universe, 
and  for  every  individual  creature  therein ;  but  man  was 


244  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

marked  out  as  the  object  on  which  the  infinite  mercy 
of  God  was  to  celebrate  His  triumph.  And  this,  indeed, 
was  accompHshed  through  Christ  by  His  entrance  into 
the  world,  by  the  welcome  message  which  Gabriel  on  this 
blessed  day  brought  to  the  Immaculate  Virgin  Mary. 

This  sublime  truth  affords  a  subject  for  the  most 
consoling  meditation  if  we  but  realize  it  in  all  its  per- 
fections. This,  however,  Is  the  case  with  so  few  that  I 
may  venture  to  doubt  whether  one  single  child  of  the 
Church,  among  the  many  who  listen  to  my  words  to- 
day, has  ever  considered,  in  its  deepest  meaning,  the 
divine  assurance  and  blessed  hope  with  which  this 
message  is  replete. 

Oh,  how  sweetly  it  whispers  to  our  hearts  that,  by  the 
redemption  of  the  hmna^i  race,  the  triumph  of  God's 
infnite  mercy  has  been  achieved ! 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  mercy,  pray  for  us  that  the  tri- 
umph of  this  loveliest  of  God's  attributes  may  be  cel- 
ebrated in  our  hearts  also  ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


Is  God  merciful  ?  Does  He  grant  to  the  sinner  a 
gracious  pardon  ?  To  this  none  of  us  can  give  a  final 
answer.  Certainly  He  Is,  in  the  abstract.  Infinite  Mercy ; 
and  from  the  dark  and  drear  abyss  of  chaos  he  has  called 
the  world  into  existence,  and  wishes  to  confer  happi- 
ness upon  those  who  will  dwell  therein.  But  should 
rational  creatures,  upon  whom  He  has  bestowed  the  pre- 


THIRD    SERMON.  245 

cious  gift  of  faith,  dare  to  oppose  His  will  and  venture  to 
transgress  His  divine  commands,  they  have  no  right  to 
expect  forgiveness  from  an  offended  Majesty  Who  is 
under  no  obligation  to  evince  His  mercy  to  them.  God 
is  free.  Of  all  the  radiant  angels  who  defied  His  wrath 
in  heaven  not  one  received  forgiveness ;  nay,  not  one 
grace,  which  might  have  led  them  back,  was  vouch- 
safed to  those  rebel  spirits — not 'one  moment  in  which 
to  repent  and  return  to  God;  but  when  that  daring 
thought  of  pride,  which  would  fain  have  disturbed  the 
peace  of  heaven,  was  consented  to,  the  doom  was 
sealed ;  the  fiery  sword  of  the  sovereign  justice  flashed 
over  the  defiant  host,  and  from  the  bliss  of  heaven 
they  were  hurled  into  the  fathomless  depths  of  hell. 
Therefore  I  say  that,  in  regard  to  those  sins  which 
stain  the  hearts  of  the  human  race,  we  naturally  ask 
the  question:  ''Does  God  forgive  our  sins?"  God 
alone  can  answer,  and  He  has  answered,  and  that 
more  explicitly  than  is  the  case  with  any  of  His  other 
divine  attributes.  Open  the  pages  of  the  inspired  vol- 
ume, and  read  the  assertions  of  Moses  and  the  proph- 
ets,— those  of  the  psalmist  in  the  Old,  and  of  Christ 
and  His  Apostles  in  the  New  Testament.  In  proof 
of  this,  I  need  only  mention  some  of  these  solemn  dec- 
larations of  the  Lord  :  *'  In  that  same  hour  when  the 
sinner  returns  to  Me  his  injustice  shall  no  longer  be 
remembered."  So  says  the  Lord  through  the  prophet 
Ezekiel.  And  again :  "Though  your  sins  be  red  as  scar- 
let, they  shall  become  whiter  than  snow."  So  has  the 
Lord  spoken  by  the  prophet  Isaias  :  ''The  wise  man 


246  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

shall  not  glory  in  his  wisdom."  So  we  read  in 
another  place:  **Nor  the  strong  one  in  his  strength, 
only  that  he  acknowledge  Me,  who  am  merciful  and 
forgiving  towards  the  sinner."  *'  As  sure  as  I  live," 
says  God  the  Lord,  "  I  will  not  the  death  of  the  sin- 
ner, but  that  he  be  converted  and  live."  '*  Praise  the 
Lord,  for  He  is  good,  and  His  mercy  endureth  for- 
ever." This  we  read  in  the  one  hundred  and  thirty-fifth 
psalrn,  and,  indeed,  throughout  all  the  psalms  we  trace 
similar  eulogies  of  the  mercy  of  God  ;  while  in  regard 
to  the  other  divine  attributes  no  such  frequent  praise 
ascends  on  high.  And  surely  every  Christian,  espe- 
cially every  child  of  the  Church,  has  had  ample  reason, 
in  the  course  of  his  life,  to  be  reminded  of  this  bound- 
less mercy ;  chiefly,  however,  when  he  intended  to  seek 
reconciliation  with  God  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance. 
But  how  few  have  ever  realized  and  considered  in 
their  hearts  that  the  message  of  the  angel  declared 
the  triumph  of  the  infinite  mercy  of  God  in  the  re- 
demption of  man  !  To  understand  this  clearly  we  must 
think  well  on  the  following  questions,  and  consider 
the  answers  in  every  light.  The  first  question  is, 
''  Who  pardons  ? "  The  second,  *'  Who  is  pardoned  ?  " 
The  third,  ''What  is  pardoned?"  and  the  fourth, 
''Horn  IS  it  pardoned?"  To  assign  to  the  principal 
thought  the  most  prominent  place,  I  will  say,  that  God 
wished  to  confer  the  gracious  boon  of  pardon,  but 
man  seemed  only  anxious  to  thrust  back  the  munifi- 
cent bounty  of  the  divine  hand.  Nevertheless,  infinite 
mercy  triumphed,  and  changed  the  poisonous  stream 


THIRD    SERMON.  247 

of  sin  to  a  health-giving  fountain,  wherein  the  sinner 
may  find  balm  for  the  most  deadly  wounds  of  the 
soul.  Deny  me  not  your  closest  attention  to  every 
word  I  may  utter.  Even  as  the  sun,  in  his  onward 
course,  shines  ever  with  more  resplendent  brilliancy 
until  he  has  reached  the  zenith  of  his  glory,  so  will 
you,  if  you  follow  the  course  of  my  remarks,  obtain  at 
their  close  a  clear  and  luminous  insight  into  what  I 
wish  to  prove. 

Now,  then,  the  first  question:  ''Who  pardons?" 
God,  the  offended  One;  God,  the  infinite  Majesty, 
Who  has  no  need  of  us,  whom  He  called  into  exist- 
ence from  nothing. 

Second  Question  :  "Whom  does  he  pardon?"  Man, 
the  lowest  of  all  the  rational  creatures,  who  offends 
again  and  again.  From  each  of  the  nine  celestial  choirs 
some  angels  fell ;  yes,  even  Cherubim  and  Seraphim, 
and  Lucifer  himself,  the  brightest  of  all,  was  buried  in 
darkness  and  despair.  Not  one  of  them  found  mercy, 
and  yet  they  sinned  but  once,  and  that  in  thought. 

Third  Question :  What  does  God  pardon  ?  Every 
sin,  no  matter  how  great ;  to  every  sinner  who  re- 
sponds to  the  call  of  grace,  and  returning  with  heart- 
felt sorrow  to  the  path  of  right,  fulfills  the  conditions 
necessary  for  reconciliation  with  Him.  Christians, 
consider  for  a  moment  all  that  is  implied  in  the 
words  :  Every  sin.  There  have  lived  on  earth  men 
who  have  outraged  Christ  in  His  own  divine  person, 
and  this  not  upon  Good  Friday  only,  but  over  and 
over  again  in  the  long  period  of  nineteen  centuries. 


248  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

There  have  been  wretches,  so  lost  to  every  feeling  of 
good,  that  they  threw  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  on  the 
ground,  and  trampling  upon  it  with  their  unholy  feet, 
outraged  this  precious  legacy  of  Christ.  Yet  had  they 
turned  to  God  with  truly  repentant  hearts,  they  would 
have  found  a  loving  welcome  from  Him  Whom  they  had 
so  deeply  offended.  No  matter,  then,  how  grievous  or 
how  numerous  the  sins,  it  is  an  article  of  faith  that  God 
is  always  ready  to  forgive  the  contrite  sinner  who  has 
recourse  to  the  Sacrament  of  Penance  ;  for  has  He  not 
said:  '*  Whose  sins  you  shall  forgive,  they  are  for- 
given ? "  ''  What  sins  ?  "  says  St.  Bernard.  "  No  mat- 
ter what !  And  what  sinners  ? "  The  Lord  makes 
no  exceptions.  But  even  that  does  not  yet  prove  the 
triumph  of  the  infinite  mercy  of  God. 

Listen  to  the  fourth  question  and  its  answer  :  "  How 
does  God  pardon?  "  God  longed  to  forgive,  but  man 
arrayed  himself  against  that  infinite  goodness,  so  that 
the  offended  One  must  make  the  advances,  since,  of  him- 
self, the  offender  can  do  nothing  meritorious  for  eternal 
life.  Infinite  praise  to  infinite  mercy !  So  full  of  love  and 
compassion  was  the  Lord  that  He  took  the  first  step 
towards  rescuing  us  from  everlasting  woe.  "  When 
we  were  His  enemies  He  loved  us,  and  drew  us  mer- 
cifully to  Himself,"  as  St.  John  assures  us.  But  man 
did  not  respond.  Bethlehem  rejects  Him,  the  symbol- 
ical meaning  of  which  is  this  :  In  consequence  of  orig- 
inal sin  every  human  being,  from  the  moment  of 
its  conception,  bears  a  heart  fast  closed  against  the 
Lord. 


THIRD    SERMON.  249 

But,  my  dearest  Christians,  man's  ingratitude  did 
not  stop  there  ;  for  St.  Paul  says  :  "  We  seized  Him, 
dragged  Him  out  of  the  city,  and  nailed  Him  to  the 
cross,"  that  is,  by  our  sins  ;  for  He,  the  Lamb  of  God, 
took  upon  Himself  all  the  sins  of  the  world  ;  and  the 
avenging  arm  of  the  justice  of  His  heavenly  Father 
was    stayed.     He    sweats    blood,    He    is    scourged, 
crowned  with  thorns,  spit  upon,  and  treated  in  the  most 
insulting  manner ;  His  sacred  shoulders  shrink  from 
the  weight  of  the  cross,  as  amid  the  jeers  and  cries  of 
the  cruel  mob  His  faltering  steps  go  on  to  Calvary; 
He  bepds  beneath  the  heavy  load — He  falls ;    a  sec- 
ond, yes,  even  a  third  time.  He  sinks  to  the  ground, 
and   the  avenging  justice   of   His  eternal   Father  is 
stayed;   He  is  trampled  under  foot,  they  lay  violent 
hands  upon  Him,  and  nail  Him  to  the  cross  and  as 
it  is  raised  aloft,  new  torture  is  inflicted  on  the  suffer- 
ing Lamb  of  God.    His  wounds  are  opened  afresh, 
until  all  that  is  human  in  Him  can  scarcely  bear  the 
pain.    The  angelic  hosts  are  hovering  near,  and  look 
with  the  tenderest  compassion  on   the  Son  of  God 
made  man.    They  contemplate  with  deepest  pity  the 
awful  sufferings  by  which  the  redemption  of  the  hu- 
man race  is  won.     "  O  children  of  Adam  !  "  they  fain 
would  cry — ''  for  the  sinful  thought  of  a  single  moment 
the  justice  of  God  refused  to  spare  our  companions, 
and  hurled  them  to  the  black  abyss  of  a  hell  enkin- 
dled by  the  avenging  breath  of  an  outraged  Deity ; 
what  then  will  become  of  you  ?  " 

Lucifer,  surrounded  by  the  infernal  hosts,  is  at  the 


250  FEAST    OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

foot  of  the  cross.  In  their  diabolical  joy,  what  may- 
have  been  their  thoughts  ?     Probably  these : 

"  If  we,  for  one  single  offense,  were  cast  out  of 
heaven,  and  doomed  to  burn  forever  in  hell ;  if,  for  a 
rebellious  thought,  we  have  been  punished  by  never- 
ending  torments,  what  will  be  the  torture  of  that  hell 
prepared  for  you,  O  recreant  children  of  men  ?  "  An- 
gels and  devils  look  upon  Jesus  and  are  silent,  await- 
ing the  punishment  which  will  surely  be  adjudged  to 
the  human  race,  and  at  last  the  livid  lips  of  the  Cru- 
cified One  part  to  speak.  Then  do  angels  and  demons 
expect  to  hear  the  words  :  "  Father,  I  came  to  save, 
not  only  the  just,  but  sinners,  yet  they  rejected  my 
bounty ;  they  would  not  be  saved,  and  now  I  give  them 
over  to  you — to  your  infinite  justice — punish  them  as 
you  will  "  But,  no  !  such  feelings  had  no  place  in  the 
Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus.  He  prays  for  His  enemies. 
He  cries  aloud:  "Father,  forgive!"  Ah,  then,  what 
a  grand  triumphant  cry  breaks  forth  from  the  whole 
celestial  choir,  as  the  vail  which  had  until  now  con- 
cealed the  greatness  of  God's  mercy  was  removed, 
and  they  beheld  it  in  all  its  infinity !  When  God  cre- 
ated the  visible  world,  holy  Job  tells  us  that  the  an- 
gels rejoiced  at  the  result  of  His  goodness,  power, 
wisdom,  and  benignity ;  joyous  was  also  the  ''  Gloria  " 
which  floated  over  the  midnight  air  Avhen  Christ  was 
born ;  but  beyond  all  these  was  the  hymn  of  praise 
which  the  angels  entoned  in  gratitude  for  God's  en- 
during mercy. 

But  Lucifer,  and  his  fallen  band  retreat,  and,  frantic 


THIRD    SERMON.  25  I 

with  rage  and  despair,  bury  themselves  in' the  lowest 
depths  of  hell. 

Then  Jesus  prays:  "My  God!  my  God!  why  hast 
thou  forsaken  Me  ?  "  He,  as  it  were,  suffers  the  never- 
ending  pain  which  should  be  endured  by  every  sinner, 
instead  of  by  Him,  the  innocent  Lamb  of  God.  ''  1 
thirst."  Jesus  offers  Himself  for  the  salvaj:ion  of  every 
soul  that  has  been,  or  ever  will  be  born,  until  the  end 
of  time.  He  longs  for  it.  He  thirsts  for  it  upon  the 
gibbet  of  the  cross.  ''It  is  consummated !  Father, 
into  thy  hands  I  commend  My  spirit."  The  soul  is 
about  to  leave  that  sacred  body,  the  face  assumes  the 
livid  hue  of  death ;  a  soldier  rushes  up  the  mountain 
side  and  thrusts  his  spear  into  the  Sacred  Heart  of 
Jesus ;  it  opens,  and,  under  the  symbol  of  blood  and 
water,  rises  from  this  precious  wound  the  Holy  Cath- 
olic Church.  Even  as  from  the  side  of  the  sleeping 
Adam,  Eve  came  forth,  so,  from  the  heart  of  the  heav- 
enly Adam,  as  he  fell  asleep  in  death,  there  came  forth 
this  one  true  Church. 

St.  Peter  compares  her  to  the  saving  Ark.    The  very 

summits  of  the  loftiest  mountains  were  hidden  beneath 

the  surging  waters  of  the  deluge  ;  from  which  we  are 

to  understand  that,  while  God  is  willing  to  pardon  man, 

He  permits  him  to  fall  into  an  abyss  of  sin,  such  as 

no  devil  was  ever  guilty  of.    Lucifer,  in  his  arrogant 

pride,  said:  "I  will  make  myself  like  unto  the  Most 

High ;  "  but  St.  Peter  says  in  his  first  discourse   on 

Pentecost:  '*  But  the  Author  of  Hfe  you  killed."    De- 

icide — attempted  Deicide — is  the  crime  of  the  human 
17 


252  FEAST   OF    THE    ANNUNCIATION. 

race  against  God.  Oh,  what  a  terrible  crime !  Yet, 
children  of  Adam,  you  still  may  hope.  St.  Paul  says 
that  Christ,  in  dying  upon  the  cross,  has  destroyed  sin 
through  sin;  which  means  that  this  atrocious  crime, 
deicide,  parricide,  and  fratricide  combined,  of  which  all 
sinners  have  been  guilty — became  for  us,  through 
God's  infinite  mercy,  the  very  source  oi  Pardon!  This 
is  the  infinite  Triumph  of  the  Divine  Mercy. 

''  But  Thou,  O  Lord,  what  dost  Thou  require  from 
us  that  we  may  participate  in  the  fruits  of  redemption  ? 
Is  it  not  meet  that  we  should  suffer  even  as  you  have 
suffered ;  for  ''  if  such  things  be  done  in  the  green  wood, 
what  shall  be  done  in  the  dry  ?  "  Listen  to  the  sweet 
and  loving  reply  from  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus : 
''  Nothing !  " — ''  Gratis  redempti  estis  !  "  "■  Nothing — 
you  are  redeemed."  So  it  is.  And  if  one  of  the  mur- 
derers of  our  Lord  had  fallen  at  the  feet  of  St.  Peter 
on  Pentecost  and  asked  the  prince  of  the  Apostles : 
"  What  penalty  must  I  suffer  for  that  horrible  crime  ?  " 
the  answer  would  have  been:  ''No  penalty!  Offer 
to  your  crucified  Lord  the  sorrow  of  a  truly  contrite 
heart."  ''  I  baptize  thee  ;  ego  te  baptizo  ; "  and  in  the 
same  moment  the  soul  of  that  sinner  would  have  been 
pure  and  bright  as  the  fairest  angel  of  heaven,  through 
the  merits  of  Christ  the  Saviour.  And  even  if,  later 
on,  that  ungrateful  man  should  crucify  anew,  in  his  for- 
getful heart,  the  Son  of  God,  even  then  I  say  he  need 
not  despair. 

And  upon  what  conditions  may  the  baptized  sinner 
hope  for  pardon?  The  very  same  which  earthly  justice 


THIRD    SERMON.  253 

demands  and  requires  to  have  a  criminal  delivered  up 
to  the  law, —  Confessio7i.  This  self-accusation,  joined 
to  an  act  of  sincere  contrition,  before  the  priest,  as  the 
representative  of  God,  can  rescue  even  the  most  aban- 
doned sinner.  This,  beloved  in  Christ,  is  the  triumph 
of  the  infinite  mercy  of  God.  The  message  which  the 
Angel,  on  this  auspicious  day,  brought  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  reminds  us  of  this  glorious  triumph,  and 
three  times  a  day  does  the  Church  recall  it  to  our 
minds,  with  the  wish  that  this  threefold  remembrance 
at  morn,  at  noon,  at  eventide,  should  instill  into  our 
hearts  a  tender  reverence  and  devotion  for  the  great 
mystery  which  is  commemorated  by  the  feast  we  cele- 
brate to-day.  And  with  this  devotion  will  spring  up 
a  feehng  of  the  most  intense  gratitude  to  the  /Triune 
God,  the  Father  who  created  us,  the  Son  who  redeemed 
us,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  who  sanctified  us.  Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  HOLY  THURSDAY. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

"  It  were  better  for  him  if  that  man  had  not  been  born." — Matt,  xxvi,  24. 

THE  Church  observes  the  fast  of  Lent  with  the 
intention  of  preparing  her  children,  in  as  perfect 
a  manner  as  possible,  for  the  glorious  Easter-tide,  that 
they  may  arise  from  a  sinful,  tepid,  and  imperfect  state 
to  a  pure,  holy,  and  even  saintly  life — a  life  most  pre- 
cious in  the  sight  of  the  Lord.  It  is,  therefore,  the 
earnest  wish  of  this  most  tender  mother,  that  each  of 
her  children  be  penetrated  with  the  greatest  horror  of 
sin,  and,  that  every  Christian,  as  he  arises  from  the 
death  of  sin,  shall  also  make  fast  the  sepulcher  of 
tepidity  in  which  his  soul  has  been  for  years,  perhaps, 
buried.  To  this  wish,  and  to  the  manner  in  which  its 
realization  can  be  accomplished,  I  will  direct  the  atten- 
tion of  all  whom  I  address  during  these  three  days  of 
grace,  asking  them  to  consider  with  me  the  lives  of 
three  persons  of  whom  Holy  Scripture  makes  special 
mention  in  the  history  of  the  passion. 

The  first  of  the  three  is  Judas,  as  he  sat  with  the 
Lord  at  the  Last  Supper.  Let  us  follow  him  until  we 
behold  him  commit  the  dreadful  crime  which  sealed 

his  eternal  ruin. 

(254) 


FIRST    SERMON.  255 

That  the  infinite  merits  of  Christ  may  be  effectually 
bestowed  upon  us,  the  first  and  most  essential  condi- 
tion is,  that  we  renounce  sin  entirely  and  forever,  and 
thus,  with  hearts  perfectly  cleansed  from  the  dust 
thereof,  render  ourselves  worthy  of  the  Table  of  the 
Lord,  and  thus,  at  this  holy  Easter-time,  receive  His 
precious  Body  and  Blood,  Soul  and  Divinity.  A  glance 
at  Judas,  the  traitorous  Apostle,  will  promote  this  con- 
dition of  heart. 

He  is  a  mirror  in  which  we  may  behold  sin  in  all  its 
depravity ;  in  which  every  sinner^  especially  if  he  be  a 
m^ember  of  our  Holy  Church,  may  see  reflected  his  own 
image,  disfigured  and  distorted  by  the  malignity  of  the 
crimes  he  has  committed. 

This  will  be  made  clear  to  you  to-day, — the  day, 
upon  which,  in  ages  long  gone  by,  our  loving  Saviour 
bequeathed  to  us  His  sacred  Body  and  Blood. 

0  Mary,  refuge  of  sinners,  obtain  for  us  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  our  sins  and  the  grace  of  true  repent- 
ance, that  we  may  make  a  sincere  confession  of  all 
our  offenses  against  the  law  of  God ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


Several  circumstances  conspired  to  render  the  sin 
of  Judas  so  enormous,  the  first  one  of  which  was  his 
exalted  position.  He  had  been  selected  from  among 
the  millions  of  men  who  had  lived  up  to  that  period 
on  earth,  and  who  would  live  until  the  end  of  time, 


256  FEAST    OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 

to  be  constantly  in  the  society  of  Jesus.  Oh,  what  an 
honor!  In  proportion  to  it,  therefore,  his  fall  was  im- 
measurably great. 

Another  serious  aggravation  of  his  crime  was  his 
abuse  of  the  graces  bestowed  upon  him  to  fit  him  for 
his  vocation  as  one  of  the  twelve  Apostles, — one  of 
the  favored  few  who,  for  three  years  and  a  half,  en- 
joyed the  privilege  of  walking  with  the  Saviour  of 
mankind.  He  had,  therefore,  before  him  the  most  per- 
fect example  of  virtue  ;  he  heard  all  His  admirable 
discourses ;  witnessed  His  many  miracles  ;  beheld  even 
the  body  of  Lazarus,  already  touched  with  the  blight 
of  decay,  arise  at  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  yet  all 
this  was  without  effect ! 

Oh,  what  emptiness  of  heart !  what  an  abuse  of 
grace !    For  his  sin  there  was  no  excuse  ! 

The  next  aggravating  circumstance  was  the  terrible 
indifference  of  Judas.  Christ,  in  order  to  watch  over 
and  rescue  the  soul  of  this  ungrateful  sinner,  endeav- 
ored to  win  his  love  and  awaken  his  interest  by  select- 
ing him  from  the  twelve  Apostles  as  the  one  to  whom 
He  entrusted  the  care  of  His  own  temporal  affairs  and 
those  of  the  other  Apostles.  As  a  mark  of  confidence. 
He  gave  into  his  charge  the  alms  they  received  to  pro- 
cure the  necessities  of  life.  This  gave  him  occasion  to 
speak  often  with  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  who  fol- 
lowed Jesus,  with  other  holy  women,  to  minister  to 
the  wants  of  the  little  band.  And  yet  Judas  remained 
cold  and  indifferent  to  all  these  proofs  of  the  search- 
ing love  of  Christ  for  him.     Unhappy  wretch  ! 


FIRST    SERMON.  -       257 

Thirdly,  the  sin  of  Judas  was  enormously  aggravated 
by  his  astonishing  obduracy.  Even,  though  already 
guilty  of  the  basest  treason,  he  dared  to  place  himself, 
with  the  rest  of  the  Apostles,  at  the  table  of  the  Lord — 
the  Last  Supper !  There  Christ,  elevating  His  voice, 
pronounced  those  awful  words :  *'  One  of  you  is  about 
to  betray  Me  !  "  Awe-stricken,  the  disciples  asked,  in 
trembling  tones:  *' Is  it  I,  Lord?"  Judas  remained 
obdurate.  And  again  the  Son  of  God  broke  the  deep 
silence^  saying:  ''  The  Son  of  man  indeed  goeth,  as  it 
is  written  of  Him :  but  woe  to  that  man  by  whom  He 
shall  be  betrayed ;  it  were  better  for  him  if  he  had  not 
been  born."  Terrible  sentence  !  Mighty  enough  to 
move  the  mountains  to  their  very  foundations,  and  to 
penetrate  to  the  inmost  recesses  of  the  ocean  caves  ! 
And  still  that  obdurate  heart  remained  untouched; 
nay,  he  even  dared  to  ask:  *Ts  it  I?"  Then  the  di- 
vine eyes  of  the  dear  Saviour  rested  with  loving  pity 
upon  him,  as  He  replied:  ''Thou  hast  said  it!"  Ob- 
durate still,  his  heart  closed  to  the  softening  influence 
of  grace ;  he  received  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Christ 
unworthily;  and  thus,  for  the  first  time,  was  the  sacri- 
lege of  an  unworthy  communion  committed,  and  in  that 
moment  Satan  took  possession  of  his  heart! 

Fourthly,  the  crime  of  Judas  was  enormously  aggra- 
vated by  the  incredible  baseness  of  the  treason.  To 
betray  his  Lord  and  Master — his  Saviour,  who  had 
given  him  such  testimonials  of  His  love — for  thirty 
pieces  of  silver,  the  price  demanded  for  slaughtering 
a  head  of  cattle ! — Can  more  unprecedented  baseness 


258       •  FEAST    OF    HOLY   THURSDAY. 

be  imagined?  The  enemies  of  Christ  would  gladly 
have  paid  hin^  ten,  fifty,  a  hundred  times  more  for 
his  most  abominable  treason  had  he  but  asked  it. 
And  with  what  bold  assurance  did  he  perpetrate  the 
crime!  He  kissed  the  Saviour — the  token  of  friend- 
ship to  become  the  signal  of  treason !  What  greater 
hypocrisy  can  be  imagined ! 

The  last  and  most  terrible  characteristic  of  the  crime 
of  Judas  was  that  hardness  of  heart  which,  culminat- 
ing in  despair,  condemned  him  on  the  very  day  of  re- 
demption, when  Christ  gave  Himself  a  willing  sacrifice 
to  die  that  he  and  all  sinners  might  enter  eternal  life. 
This  miserable  being,  unable  to  bear  the  weight  of  his 
crime,  perished  by  his  own  vile  hand ! 

Oh,  horrible  sin !  Oh,  incomprehensible  atrocity ! 
Yes,  well  might  Christ  declare  that  it  were  better  for 
that  man  had  he  never  been  born. 

O  sinner,  you  who,  while  listening  to  my  voice, 
endure  the  gnawings  of  that  worm  which  never  dies — 
the  reproaches  of  a  guilty  conscience — do  you  not 
shudder  at  the  picture  of  that  monster  who,  chosen 
of  Christ  to  be  one  of  His  dearest  friends,  betrayed 
his  Lord,  and  then  put  an  end  to  his  own  wretched 
life  ?  He  longed  to  escape  from  the  night  of  despair 
which  darkened  his  wretched  life;  but  the  refuge  he 
found  was  the  deepest,  blackest  pit  in  the  abyss  of 
hell !  Oh,  that  the  tree  upon  which  the  despairing  sui- 
cide ended  his  days,  and  the  halter  which  deprived 
him  of  his  life,  were  here  before  you,  that  you  might 
witness  the  agony  and  pain  of  the  faithless  Apostle 


FIRST   SERMON.  259 

who  betrayed  the  innocent  Jesus !  What  a  mirror  of 
sin  in  all  its  blackest  deformity !  What  a  hideous  re- 
flection is  therein  presented !  Sinner,  do  you  not  rec- 
ognize it  as  your  own  ?  Do  you  not  find  it  a  perfect  rep- 
resentation of  your  iniquitous  soul  ?  And  O !  may  the 
grace  of  God  so  touch  your  hearts  to-night  that  you  re- 
pent, and  tears  entirely  blot  out  that  hideous  image! 

Many  of  you  have,  perhaps,  heard  an  anecdote  con- 
nected with  a  celebrated  painting  of  the  "Last  Sup- 
per." One  who  had  been  a  dear  friend  of  the  painter 
happened  to  offend  him  so  deeply  that  the  painter,  in 
order  to  make  him  feel  his  wrath,  in  depicting  the  traitor 
Judas  upon  the  canvass,  gave  to  him  the  face  of  the 
friend  whom  he  had  loved  so  well.  When  the  king, 
who  had  ordered  the  picture  and  was  well  aware  of 
the  recent  enmity,  first  saw  and  examined  it,  he  smiled, 
and,  turning  toward  the  knight,  said:  ** Excellent,  my 
lord ;  you  are  drawn  to  the  very  life !  " — Yes,  sinner, 
look  at  the  picture  of  Judas ;  you,  too,  are  drawn  to 
the  very  life  ! 

What  increased  the  malignity  of  the  sin  of  this  trai- 
torous Apostle  was  the  stiblimity  of  his  election.  Sin- 
ner, Christ  has  also  chosen  you  from  among  the  mul- 
titude of  nations  who  have  lived  and  are  living  still 
in  the  darkness  of  infidelity  and  heresy !  You  are  a 
Catholic !  Glorious  dignity  to  which  you  have  been 
elevated  through  the  infinite  mercy  of  God  ;  and  yet, 
through  your  own  choice,  by  the  commission  of  mortal 
sin,  you  became  a  child  of  Satan.  Oh,  what  a  deep 
and  damning  fall! 


260  FEAST    OF    HOLY   THURSDAY. 

What  also  aggravated  the  guilt  of  Judas  was  his 
wanton  abuse  of  the  graces  granted  him  by  the  Sav- 
iour, that  he  might  live  and  die  as  became  a  worthy 
Apostle  of  the  Lord. 

What  a  multitude  of  graces,  O  sinner,  has  not  God 
bestowed  upon  you  through  your  call  to  the  true 
Church?  With  what  frequent  instructions  and  en- 
couragement have  you  been  favored !  how  many  con- 
fessions and  holy  communions  have  been  vouchsafed 
to  you !  how  many  holy  masses  have  you  heard ! 
and  yet  these  graces  have  yielded  no  fruit !  Oh,  fatal 
instability  of  the  human  heart ! 

The  treachery  of  Judas  was  aggravated  by  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  abused  the  grace  of  God.  Imitate  him 
not ;  but  pause  before  it  is  too  late  ! 

Judas  was  coldly  indifferent  to  that  love  which  im- 
pelled the  Son  of  God  to  go  in  search  of  him,  that  He 
might  win  a  return  of  love.  Sinner,  you  know  how 
mercifully  Divine  Providence  has  followed  you!  how 
lovingly  the  Saviour  has  gone  in  quest  of  you !  Take 
courage  from  the  very  fact  of  your  having  come  hither 
to-night.  It  is  an  effect  of  the  endearing  love  of  the 
Good  Shepherd,  who  longs  to  bring  you  once  more  to 
the  protecting  shelter  of  His  fold.  Oh,  hide  no  longer ; 
but  meet  that  loving  Guardian,  and  let  Him  guide  you 
home. 

What  rendered  the  sin  of  Judas  so  terrible  in  its 
enormity  was  his  shocking  obduracy  of  heart.  You, 
also,  are  guilty  in  this  regard  ;  for,  although  you  have 
received  all  the  graces  with  which  he  was  favored,  you 


FIRST    SERMON.  26 1 

have  also  been  endowed  with  many  which  were  never 
bestowed  on  him.  Judge,  therefore,  whether  his  ob- 
duracy was  greater  than  yours. 

Furthermore,  Judas  never  had  an  opportunity  of 
approaching  the  Sacrament  of  Penance.  You  enjoy 
that  privilege ;  yet,  perhaps,  for  years  you  have  looked 
upon  it  with  cold  indifference,  if  not  contempt.  It  may 
be  that  you  have  allowed  years  to  pass  without  mak- 
ing a  confession ;  or  that,  when  you  have  attempted 
to  blot  out  the  sins  of  your  life,  you  have  but  added 
to  the  long  list  of  your  crimes  the  damning  guilt  of 
sacrilege.  And  why,  O  sinner,  is  this?  Because  your 
heart  refuses  to  give  up  its  darling  passions,  and  you 
continue  to  commit  the  same  offenses  as  of  yore. 
Judas  did  not,  of  himself,  petition  for  the  Holy  Com- 
munion ;  while  you  have  presumed  to  challenge  the 
priest  to  open  the  tabernacle  and  place  the  Sacred 
Host  upon  your  guilty  tongue,  that  you  may  drag  the 
Body  of  our  Lord  into  the  mire  of  your  heart.  .When 
the  agony  of  despair  drove  Judas  to  hang  himself,  he 
knew  not  of  the  prayer  that  went  up  that  day  from 
the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  on  the  cross:  ''Father, 
forgive !  "  Neither  had  he  the  example  of  the  millions 
who,  for  nineteen  centuries,  have  been  guilty  of  griev- 
ous sin,  yet  repented  and  found  grace,  as  you  have 
ever  before  your  eyes,  O  faithless  child  of  the  Church  ! 

Judas  betrayed  his  Lord  but  once,  and  upon  that 
very  day  the  grace  of  God  forsook  him  and  he  per- 
ished miserably,  while  for  you  Christ  has  waited  for 
years;  and   oh,  for  His  dear  sake — for  the  love  of 


262  FEAST   OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 

Him  who,  for  three  and  thirty  years,  suffered  cold  and 
hunger,  contempt  and  derision,  and,  at  last,  a  painful 
death  on  the  cross — let  Him  not  wait  in  vain ! 

The  crime  of  Judas  was  increased  by  the  unprece- 
dented baseness  of  his  selling  his  Divine  Master  for 
thirty  pieces  of  silver ;  but  is  there  not  some  sinner 
in  this  very  Church  whose  darling  passion  is  impurity? 
who  would  betray  his  Saviour  for  the  gratification  of 
the  most  shameful  desires  ?  Is  there  no  drunkard  list- 
ening to  my  words  who,  to  gratify  his  depraved  and 
vicious  appetite  for  drink,  would  give,  if  not  his  own 
existence,  why,  then,  the  lives  of  his  wife  and  little 
children  ?  Yes,  I  say  the  lives  of  those  whom  he  is 
bound  to  love  and  cherish,  for  he  is  slowly  murdering 
them  by  his  neglect!  You,  then,  O  drunkard,  betray 
your  Master  for  a  price  even  more  base  than  thirty 
pieces  of  silver!  Yes,  sinners,  by  your  crimes — be 
they  what  they  may — you  have  all  betrayed  Him  over 
and  over  again  for  the  basest  considerations ! 

Judas  betrayed  the  Son  of  man  with  a  kiss — the 
token  of  friendship  and  love ;  and  the  faithless  Catho- 
lic would  fain  pretend  to  be  a  friend — an  adorer  of 
Christ — while  he  crucifies  Him  by  his  interior  life. 

Judas  yielded  to  despair  and  hanged  himself;  but, 
for  the  love  of  God  and  His  blessed  mother,  I  be- 
seech you,  poor  sinners,  let  the  resemblance  between 
you  and  the  wretched  suicide  stop  before  you  yield  to 
the  temptation  of  despair!  He  forgot  Mary!  Had 
he  hastened  to  her,  and  implored  her  to  intercede 
with  Jesus  for  him,  she  would,  doubtless,  have  done 


FIRST    SERMON.  263 

SO,  and  Judas  would  have  been  saved.  Do  not  imitate 
him  in  this  forgetfulness  of  Mary.  Fly  to  her ;  throw 
yourselves  at  the  feet  of  the  Mother  of  Mercy  and 
refuge  of  sinners.  Judas  did  not  hear  the  words  of 
Christ  upon  the  cross:  '*  Woman,  behold  thy  Son;  thy 
Child."  You,  beloved  Christians,  who  have  yielded  to 
the  tempter's  voice,  may  listen  to  them  in  spirit  and 
in  faith. 

O  Mary,  Mother  of  Mercy,  grant  to  my  fervent 
prayer  a  gracious  answer,  and  obtain  to-night  for 
every  Christian  present  here,  who,  listening  to  the 
tempter,  has  betrayed  thy  Son,  the  grace  of  sincere 
conversion,  that  in  these  days  of  grace  he  may  be  rec- 
onciled to  God,  and  no  longer  be  deaf  to  the  voice  of 
grace.  Pray  for  him,  O  dearest  Mother,  that,  when 
appalled  at  the  weight  of  his  sins,  the  demon  of  de- 
spair draws  nigh,  he  may  remember  the  dreadful  fate 
of  Judas,  and  fly  for  refuge  to  thy  maternal  love — the 
surest  haven  for  all  repentant  souls.    Amen ! 


264  FEAST   OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 


SECOND  SERMON. 

''Now,  there  was  leaning  on  Jesus's  bosom  one  of  His  disciples,  whom 
Jesus  loved." — ^John  xiii,  23. 

WE  all  know  the  four  divisions  of  the  day — mid- 
night, day-break,  noon,  and  eventide ;  and  each 
of  them  is  marked  by  a  special  divine  fact  which 
speaks  in  the  most  emphatic  manner  to  the  heart.  At 
midnight  Christ  entered  the  world;  He  was  born  in  a 
poor  stable  at  Bethlehem;  and  in  the  birth  of  this 
little  Infant  we  behold  the  coming  of  Him  Who  was 
the  Expected  and  Desired  of  nations.  At  midday  was 
raised  aloft  the  cross  by  which  He  redeemed  the  world. 
At  earliest  dawn  the  Saviour,  bursting  the  trammels  of 
the  grave,  arose  to  life  once  more,  and  gave  to  the 
world  a  splendid  proof  of  His  divine  power.  But  there 
remains  an  eventide,  glorified  indeed  through  the  di- 
vine love  of  the  Saviour,  which  led  Him  thereon  to 
leave  us  the  most  precious,  the  most  sweet,  the  most 
consolatory  legacy  that  a  God  could  bestow.  It  is  the 
evening  of  Holy  Thursday,  when  the  Sacrifice  of  the 
New  Law  was  instituted  to  bless  the  children  of  men. 
Where  is  the  Christian  who  can  speak  or  even  think 
of  this  evening  without  the  most  holy  sentiments  of 
love  arising  in  his  heart  as  the  scene  of  the  Holy  Pas- 
chal Table,  round  which  Jesus  and  His  disciples  were 
seated,  rises  up  before  his  spiritual  view  ?  What  mighty 
love  was  that  which  impelled  the  Son  of  God  to  insti- 
tute this  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  that  He  might  remain 


SECOND    SERMON.  265 

with  us  even  to  the  consummation  of  the  world  !  What 
a  pledge  of  this  faithful  love !  And,  of  all  the  Apostles, 
none  more  fully  realized  this  than  St.  John,  the  disci- 
ple whom  Jesus  loved ;  and  who,  on  that  evening,  en- 
joyed the  privilege  and  happiness  of  being  nearest  the 
Lord  at  the  Last  Supper,  and  of  leaning  his  head  on 
the  bosom  of  Jesus.  In  the  whole  course  of  his  life  St. 
John  never  forgot  that  evening.  He  styles  himself  the 
disciple  whom  Jesus  loved,  and  to  whom  this  great  grace 
was  granted ;  but  gives  us  to  understand  that  we  also 
are  permitted  to  participate  therein  in  its  plenitude,  for 
he  says  expressly  :  *'  Those  whom  Jesus  loved,  He  has 
loved  until  the  end  of  time." 

Yes,  we  may  all,  through  the  grace  of  Holy  Commun- 
ion, not  only  rest  on  the  bosom  of  our  Lord,  but  receive 
Him  into  our  hearts. 

That  we  may  do  so  with  the  purity  of  soul  afid  fer- 
vor of  love  which  distinguished  the  communion  of  the 
beloved  disciple^  let  us  glance  at  him  as  he  sat  at  the 
Paschal  Table  on  this  happy  eve. 

0  Mary,  obtain  for  us  some  portion  of  that  ardent 
love  which  inflamed  the  heart  of  the  beloved  disciple 
toward  thy  divine  Son! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


To  receive  the  Blessed  Eucharist  in  as  perfect  a  man- 
ner as  St.  John,  depends,  first,  upon  the  preparation  we 
make  to  approach  the  Table  of  the  Lord ;  and,  secondly, 


266  FEAST    OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 

on  the  manner  in  which  we  make  use  of  His  presence 
in  our  hearts,  rendering  to  Him  our  gratitude  after  the 
example  of  St.  John. 

But,  alas !  with  too  many  Christians,  the  first  requi- 
site is  wanting.  Even  in  the  time  of  St.  Paul,  as  the 
Epistle  for  to-day  asserts,  many  of  the  faithful  did  not 
make  due  preparation,  so  that  there  were  frequently 
communions  which,  if  not  unworthy,  yielded  but  lit- 
tle spiritual  fruit.  St.  Paul  writes:  ''Therefore  many 
among  us  sleep,  because  they  do  not  judge  themselves, 
before  they  approach  the  Table  of  the  Lord,  whether 
they  are  worthy  to  receive  His  Body  and  Blood ;  "  from 
which  we  are  to  understand  that,  even  if  they  were  not 
in  a  state  of  sin,  the  coldness  of  their  hearts,  and  the 
little  degree  of  fervor  they  evinced,  prevented  them  from 
deriving  the  benefits  and  graces  which  were  poured  forth 
upon  St.  John  after  his  fervent  reception  of  the  Body 
and  Blood  of  Christ.  I  said :  ''  Even  if  they  were  not  in 
a  state  of  sin ;  "  but,  of  course,  if  the  sin  were  mortal, 
such  a  communion  would  not  only  be  ineffectual,  but 
a  fearful  sacrilege. 

That  our  reception  of  the  Holy  Communion,  there- 
fore, may  be  indeed  like  that  of  the  beloved  disciple, 
it  suffices  not  that  we  are  free  from  the  guilt  of  mortal 
sin  ;  but  we  must  leave  nothing  undone  to  cleanse  our 
souls  from  the  dust  of  venial  sins  and  deliberate  im- 
perfections. ^ 

The  ceremonies  attendant  upon  the  institution  of 
the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  as  described  by  St.  John, 
are  a  proof  of  this.    Jesus  washes  the  feet  of  all  His 


SECOND    SERMON.  267 

disciples;  and  our  Lord's  answer  to  St.  Peter  shows 
that  this  act  is  emblematic  of  the  removal  of  ever^-  de- 
fect and  imperfection  from  the  soul.  Therefore,  did  St. 
Peter  exclaim:  "  Lord,  not  only  my  feet,  but  also  my 
hands  and  my  head."  But  even  yet  this  is  not  the  per- 
fect preparation  for  Holy  Communion.  St.  John  was 
next  to  Jesus.  This  illustrates  the  ardor  and  fidelity 
with  which  he  followed  the  Lord  from  the  very  moment 
he  was  called  by  Him.  He  was  one  of  those  three 
highly-favored  Apostles  who  were  permitted  to  be  in 
the  closest  proximity  to  Jesus,  and  who  enjoyed  the 
privilege  of  beholding  Jesus  in  His  transfiguration  on 
Mt.  Tabor;  and,  even  among  those  three,  he  was  the 
only  one  who  followed  Him  to  Calvary,  and  beheld 
Him  on  the  cross. 

This  feature  in  the  life  of  St.  John — "  the  disciple 
whom  Jesus  loved" — should  awaken  in  us  the  desire 
and  resolution  to  make  the  most  earnest  efforts  to 
please  God,  and  so  become  more  and  more  like  that 
Divine  Model,  and,  like  St.  John,  to  be  faithful  unto 
death. 

But  the  generality  of  Christians  care  not  to  follow 

the  admonition  of  Christ:   "Be  ye  perfect,  as  your 

heavenly  Father  is  perfect ; "  and   here  we  can  find 

the  cause  of  so  many  tepid  and  fruitless  communions. 

Should  any  one  ask  why  we  feel  so  little  fear  of  venial 

sins  and  trifiing  imperfections,  I  would  say :   As  the 

fervent  love  of  St.  John  is  wanting,  so  also  are  the 

hunger  and  thirst  of  his  heart  after  sanctity,  lacking  in 

the  hearts  of  many  who  go  forward  to  receive  the  Body 
18 


268  FEAST    OF    HOLY   THURSDAY. 

and  Blood  of  Christ.  Whosoever  loveth  truly,  my  dear 
brethren,  avoids  every  thing,  great  or  little,  that  might 
grieve  or  offend  the  beloved  object;  and  the  more 
ardent  the  love,  the  more  earnest  the  effort  to  please. 
St.  Paul  tells  us,  in  the  most  explicit  manner,  that  there 
is  no  communication  between  light  and  darkness,  be- 
tween Christ  and  Satan,  between  heaven  and  hell. 

The  very  ceremonies  made  use  of  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  Holy  Communion  show  how  essential  to  its 
worthy  reception  is  a  repentant  heart;  for  the  Church 
has  prescribed  that  the  *'  Confiteor '*  be  recited  aloud, 
so  that  every  communicant  may  make  another  act  of 
sorrow  for  the  most  venial  imperfection  which  rests 
upon  his  soul  before  he  opens  his  lips  to  welcome 
the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth  into  his  heart.  But  what 
urges  us  on  and  strengthens  us  to  emulate  the  saints 
in  their  zealous  imitation  of  Jesus  is  love.  ''The  love, 
of  Christ  urges  us,"  cries  out  the  Apostle. 

But  many  Christians  are  wanting  in  this  divine  vir- 
tue; and  thus  it  became  necessary  to  proclaim  that 
precept,  the  very  existence  of  which  should  be  con- 
sidered a  reproach  by  the  lukewarm  children  of  the 
Church :  "■  Thou  shalt  receive  the  Blessed  Eucharist 
at  least  once  a  year.** 

O  dearest  Christians !  the  soul  of  a  St.  John,  burn- 
ing with  ardent  love  for  God,  required  no  such  com- 
mand. He  hungered  and  thirsted  after  that  divine 
food  as  the  heart  panteth  after  the  fountains  of  water. 
St.  Catherine  of  Sienna,  frequently  said  to  her  con- 
fessor: '*  Father,  I  am  hungry.'* 


SECOND    SERMON.  269 

When  this  love  consumes  our  hearts,  the  second 
condition  necessary  to  receive  all  those  graces  and 
blessings,  conferred  by  a  worthy  reception  of  Holy 
Communion,  will  not  be  wanting — thanksgiving. 

But  if  it  be  a  sad  truth  that  many  approach  the  Table 
of  the  Lord  without  due  preparation,  it  is  equally  to  be 
lamented  that  a  still  greater  number  receive  the  Body 
of  Christ  and  turn  away  without  a  word. 

This  was  not  the  case  with  St.  John.  Judas  received 
Holy  Communion,  and  his  soul  was  instantly  enshroud- 
ed in  the  deepest  gloom  of  a  night  wherein  there  glim- 
mered not  the  faintest  ray  of  hope ;  and,  after  having 
received  it  from  the  hands  of  the  Lord  Himself,  he 
arose,  and  rested  not  until  the  purchase-money,  for 
which  he  had  betrayed  the  loving  Redeemer,  was 
clutched  fast  in  his  avaricious  hand !  What  a  con- 
trast! St.  John,  absorbed  in  love  and  joy,  can  find  no 
words  to  express  his  gratitude. 

Yes,  Judas  is  also  a  type  of  those  who  receive  Holy 
Communion  without  a  sigh  of  thanksgiving.  With  the 
cold  hand  of  despair  clutching  his  treacherous  heart, 
he  leaves  the  abode  of  love  and  peace,  and  rushes  away 
to  satisfy  his  greed  for  gold  !  Behold  these  models  of 
a  worthy  and  an  unworthy  .communion,  and  consider 
well  which  one  shall  be  your  choice ! 

Yet  Judas  is  not  to  serve  merely  as  a  warning  to  the 
unworthy  communicant ;  but  also  to  those  who,  after 
receiving,  plunge  directly  into  the  stir  of  worldly  affairs 
and  schemes  to  increase  their  wealth.  Alas,  that  tem- 
poral interests  should  so  soon  draw  them  away  from 


270  FEAST    OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 

Jesus  !  We  may  well  be  astonished,  and  exclaim,  with 
St.  John  Chrysostom :  ''How  can  it  be  possible  that 
Christ  becomes  so  soon  indifferent  to  you,  that  you 
can  devote  but  a  few  brief  moments  to  render  to  Him 
acts  of  adoration,  praise,  and  thanksgiving  for  a  grace 
so  infinitely  great,  for  a  happiness  so  exquisite  as  to 
render  man  an  object  of  envy  even  to  the  angels,  and 
for  which  a  lifetime  of  thanksgiving  would  not  be  suf- 
ficient! " 

And  if,  my  brethren,  you  again  ask  whence  arises 
this  neglect,  I  would  again  reply  :  From  a  want  of  that 
love  which  burned  in  the  heart  of  St.  John.  Those  who 
love,  long  to  be  with  the  object  of  their  love.  When 
blessed  Armella,  whose  dearest  joy  it  was  to  spend 
hours  and  hours  before  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  even 
when  she  had  not  the  happiness  of  receiving  Holy 
Communion,  was  asked  why  she  did  so,  replied:  ''  Be- 
cause I  love."  And,  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  by  fre- 
quently visiting  Jesus  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament  we 
will  grow  ever  in  the  love  and  knowledge  of  Him. 

St.  John  knew  and  loved  Him  in  a  greater  degree 
than  the  other  Apostles,  because  he  was  always  near- 
est Him ;  and,  at  the  Last  Supper,  his  resting-place  was 
the  Sacred  Heart. 

Obtain  for  us,  therefore,  we  beseech  thee,  St.  John, 
some  faint  reflection  of  the  ardent  fire  of  thy  love,  that 
we  may,  by  lives  modeled  upon  thy  own,  show  our  grati- 
tude and  love  to  God ;  and,  when  we  approach  the  Table 
of  the  Lorld,  may  we  taste  the  happiness  which  filled 
thy  heart  when  thou  didst  receive  the  Body  and  Blood 


SECOND    SERMON.  27  I 

of  Christ.  Then  will  we,  while  still  on  earth,  already 
taste,  the  bliss  of  heaven,  to  which  celestial  joy  the 
Church  refers  when  she  prays  :  "  Lord,  grant  that  we 
may  forever  rejoice  in  the  delight  of  Thy  Divine  Maj- 
esty, which  a  worthy  reception  of  Thy  Body  and  Blood 
will  afford  us  even  here  below." — Amen! 


272  FEAST    OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"My  soul  is  sorrowful  even  unto  death." — Mark  xiv,  34. 

HOLY  THURSDAY  evening  places  before  our  eyes 
in  an  especial  manner  two  circumstances  in  the 
life  and  sufferings  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
The  one  picture  portrays  Christ  at  the  Last  Supper 
with  His  disciples,  where,  by  the  institution  of  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament,  He  gave  Himself  unto  us  for  all  time, 
even  to  the  consummation  of  the  world.  What  a  won- 
derfully sublime  spectacle  was  that  presented  by  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  when,  for  the  first  time.  He  changed 
bread  and  wine  into  His  Body  and  Blood !  He  raised 
His  eyes  to  heaven  and  established  the  Sacrifice  of  the 
New  Law,  then  administered  Holy  Communion  to  the 
assembled  apostles. 

^  Holy  Church  teaches  us  through  her  prayers  in  honor 
of  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  that  Christ  instituted  it  as  a 
perpetual  commemoration  of  His  precious  passion  and 
death;  the  sufferings  preceding  which  began  more  im- 
mediately in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane  when,  at  the 
very  thought  of  the  bitter  anguish  He  was  in  a  few 
short  hours  to  endure,  and  the  certainty  that,  in  spite 
of  it  all,  millions  and  millions  would  be  lost,  a  bloody 
sweat  burst  forth  from  every  pore  and  bathed  the 
ground  whereon  He  knelt. 

The  passion  and  death  of  Christ  have  consummated 
for  us  the  work  of  Redemption,  but  if  we  wish  to  de- 
rive the  benefits  which  arise  therefrom  in  all  their  plen- 


THIRD    SERMON.  273 

itude,  we  must,  as  Christ  so  often  and  so  solemnly 
assured  His  disciples,  be  willing  to  bear  and  suffer 
patiently  whatever  sorrows  He  pleases  to  send  us  to 
try  our  faith  and  love  in  this  world,  and  to  intensify 
the  glory  of  our  triumph  with  Christ  in  heaven.  And 
that  we  may  be  enabled  to  do  this,  let  us  glance  at 
Him,  ''the  Light  of  the  world,"  *Vtreading  the  wine- 
press" alone  on  this  mournful  night  of  grief  and  pain. 
Let  us  glance  at  Christ,  the  Sun  of  consolation,  in 
the  gloomy  night  of  earthly  suffering — of  death,  and 
filially  the  Sun  triumphantly  reigning  in  the  kingdom 
of  eternal  bliss  in  the  joyotis  feast  of  Easter. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  mercy,  Mother  of  sorrows,  who 
stood  beneath  the*  cross,  the  Queen  of  martyrs,  obtain 
from  thy  divine  Son  for  us  the  grace  to  suffer  patiently 
for  His  dear  sake ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


"  Man  born  of  a  woman,  liveth  for  a  short  time,  and 
is  filled  with  many  miseries,"  says  holy  Job,  and  expe- 
rience teaches  us  the  truth  of  this;  Holy  Scripture 
confirms  it ;  so  that  it  were  folly  indeed  to  doubt.  Of 
the  millions  who  have  lived  and  died  since  the  creation 
of  the  world,  not  one  has  been  exempt  from  trouble. 
Scarce  has  the  little  child,  be  he  prince  or  peasant, 
looked  out  upon  a  world  both  new  and  strange,  than 
a  feeble  wail  betokens  pain  or  dread.  And  life  goes 
on ;  the  child  becomes  a  man,  and  at  last  the  hour  of 


2  74  FEAST    OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 

death  comes — that  hour  in  which  even  the  mightiest 
potentate,  before  whose  will  his  trembling  subjects 
bowed  in  dread,  must  bend  to  the  will  of  a  Sovereign 
mightier  far.  He  must  leave  the  world,  and  the  death 
struggle  will  be  full  of  pain,  for  this  is  a  valley  of  tears. 

Many  circumstances  conspire  to  this.  Care  for  the 
preservation  of  our  lives,  care  to  provide  for  those 
whom  God  has  given  to  us, — and  this,  as  many  among 
you,  my  dearest  Christians,  know  full  well,  is  often  a 
difficult  task,  for  the  means  of  doing  so  are  wanting, 
and  employment  can  not  be  had. 

Bodily  pain  and  severe  illness  often  render  life  mis- 
erable. Slights  and  insults,  whether  real  or  fancied, 
deserved  or  unmerited,  have  the  same  effect.  But 
what  can  I  say  of  those  pangs  inflicted  by  a  guilty 
conscience — that  worm  which  never  dies  ?  When  the 
fiercest  temptations  attack  the  soul,  and  man  beholds 
his  salvation  exposed  to  the  greatest  danger;  when 
he  stands  all  alone,  with  no  one  to  whisper  words  of 
trust  in  God,  then,  indeed,  this  earth  seems  like  a 
valley  of  tears.  Yet  let  us  thank  our  Lord  that  we  pos- 
sess the  light  of  faith,  which  is  brilliant  enough  to  pen- 
etrate the  most  impenetrable  gloom.  Let  us  ascend 
the  Mount  of  Olives  and  see  what  an  agonizing  God 
can  bear ;  and  behold,  amid  all  the  grief  and  woe  and 
sorrow  which  well-nigh  crushed  that  loving  heart,  the 
glory  of  a  divinity  which  rose  so  far  above  the  pain 
that  the  wailing  cry,  '•  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this 
chalice  pass  from  me,"  was  at  once  followed  by  the 
submissive  cry,  ''Yet  not  as  I  will,  but  as  Thou  wilt.'' 


THIRD    SERMON.  275 

Among  the  many  rays  which  emanate  from  the  Sun 
of  justice  on  Mount  Olivet  there  are  five  of  an  espe- 
cial luster,  which  will  lighten  the  sorrows  of  life  and 
strengthen  us  to  unite  our  sorrows  with  those  of 
Christ. 

We  have  reached  the  summit  of  the  Mount ;  now 
let  us  glance  devoutly  at  our  suffering  Lord.  The 
first  ray  upon  our  hearts  is  full  of  consolation.  The 
thought,  the  assurance  of  faith,  the  certainty  that  af- 
fliction is  710  misfortune,  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  to 
suffer  in  union  with  the  most  holy  will  of  God  is  a 
happiness  for  which  the  angels  might  indeed  envy  us, 
should  teach  us  to  say,  "  Thy  will  be  done."  Suffering 
thus  endured  is  a  most  precious  opportunity  to  show 
the  extent,  fidelity,  and  sincerity  of  our  love  to  God. 
If  He  shower  blessings  upon  us  and  enrich  us  with, 
temporal  favors,  we  can  indeed  say:  ''My  God,  I  love 
Thee — I  thank  Thee."  But  if  His  divine  hand  press 
heavily  upon  us,  and  we  bow  in  humble  submission  to 
His  will,  then  may  we  know  that  our  love  is  real  and 
true,  and  we  can  justly  say:  "My  God,  I  love  Thee. 
I  suffer  willingly  for  Thee.  I  thank  Thee  with  all  my 
heart." 

The  angels  never  had  this  sublime  opportunity  of 
proving  their  love  for  God,  and  they  envy  us,  for  they 
fain  would  suffer  for  Him  Who  of  His  own  free  will 
took  upon  Himself  sufferings  which  far  exceeded  the 
most  intense  pain  that  had  been  or  would  be  borne  by 
man  to  the  end  of  time,  as  we  know  from  the  bloody 
sweat  which  burst  from  the  Saviour's  veins. 


276  FEAST    OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 

Jesus  chose  to  suffer.  He  could  certainly  have  re- 
deemed us  by  a  single  petition  of  His  Sacred  Heart, 
but  it  pleased  the  heavenly  Father  and  His  eternal 
Son  to  bestow,  through  suffering,  the  benefits  of  Re- 
demption;  ''for,"  says  a  Christian  thinker  of  modern 
times,  "had  there  been  a  more  glorious  way  than  to 
suffer  innocently  through  pure  love,  the  Father  would 
have  manifested  it  to  His  Son  rather  than  that  He 
should  endure  such  anguish."  The  words  of  Holy 
Scripture  verify  it:  "O  all  ye  that  pass  by  the  way, 
attend  and  see  if  there  be  any  sorrow  like  unto  My 
sorrow."  Therefore  Jesus  longed  with  such  an  intense 
longing  for  this  suffering  that  He  sighed  forth  :  "I 
must  be  baptized  with  a  baptism  of  blood."  Oh,  how 
He  yearned  for  the  consummation  of  His  passion!  O 
Christian,  when  the  waves  of  affliction  sweep  over 
your  soul,  think  of  all  this  and  be  consoled,  for  Jesus 
loves  you. 

The  second  ray  which  lightens  the  sorrowful  heart, 
as  it  glances  at  the  agonizing  Saviour  on  Mount  Oli- 
vet, proceeds  from  the  thought:  "This  trouble  which 
rends  my  very  soul  is  not  from  the  hand  of  man,  but 
of  God.  No  angel  sent  it  to  me,  no  devil  brought  it 
nigh."  "Shall  I  not  drink,"  says  Christ,  speaking  of 
His  passion,  "the  cup  which  my  Father  presents  to 
me?"  And  again:  "Not  a  hair  falls  from  your  head 
/vithout  the  will  of  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven." 
What  a  consolation  !  God,  my  Creator — He,  the  in- 
finite goodness,  wisdom,  and  love — ordains  or  permits 
me  to  suffer,  that  I  may  show  the  sincerity  of  my  love 


THIRD    SERMON.  ?77 

and  prove  its  depth !  Think  of  this,  and  the  ray  of 
consolation  will  so  penetrate  your  hearts  that  you  will 
embrace  the  cross  with  loving  zeal. 

As  we  glance  for  the  third  time  at  the  Saviour  pros- 
trated in  agony  and  bathed  in  His  own  sacred  blood, 
a  third  ray  of  light  shines  forth  and  brightens  with 
celestial  hope  the  troubled  night  of  the  soul.  Are  you 
more  innocent  than  He,  the  Lamb  of  God,  Who  taketh 
away  the  sins  of  the  world  ?  Had  you  but  committed 
one  sin  in  the  course  of  your  whole  life,  all  the  suf- 
ferings on  earth  would  not  be  sufficient  reparation  for 
it ;  and  do  you  not  feel  that  you  have  been  guilty  of 
many,  perhaps,  mortal  and  most  grievous  sins,  for 
which  you  fully  deserved  to  be  cast  into  the  flames  of 
hell  ?  And  even  if  you  have  not  the  stain  of  mortal 
sin  upon  your  souls,  think  of  Purgatory !  Suffer  pa- 
tiently, for  thus  you  will  lessen  the  pains  you  might 
have  to  endure  in  that  fiery  prison,  and  shorten  the 
duration  of  the  punishment  which  may  await  you  there. 

By  the  royal  road  of  the  cross  Christ  your  Saviour 
entered  heaven.  His  blessed  Mother  and  all  the  saints 
walked  in  the  steps  His  sacred  feet  marked  with  His 
precious  blood.  Look  up  to  that  glorious  army.  You 
do  not  suffer  alone,  for,  as  St.  Paul  tells  us,  through 
sorrow  and  tribulation  do  we  enter  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  And  you,  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  would  you 
wish  to  enter  there  by  any  other  than  the  royal  road 
of  suffering?  You  may  say  that  the  path  is  too  nar- 
row, the  thorns  too  sharp,  and  sigh  after  the  broad 
and   pleasant  road   fragrant  with  lovely  flowers  and 


278  FEAST    OF    HOLY    THURSDAY. 

cooled  by  fountains  whose  waters  dance  and  sparkle 
in  the  sun ;  but,  for  the  love  of  God,  resist  the  wish  to 
walk  therein,  for  the  roses  have  piercing  thorns,  and  / 
from  the  sparkling  waters,  as  you  stop  to  quench  your 
thirst,  spring  deadly  serpents  whose  venomous  sting 
brinofs  death. 

And  then,  my  friends,  if  you  were  told  that,  by  pass- 
ing through  a  narrow  and  dangerous  road,  you  would 
find  a  princely  fortune,  would  you  not  persevere  until 
the  end?  Oh,  persevere  in  the  narrow  road  which 
leads  to  eternal  life,  where  a  bliss  which  can  not  be 
conceived  is  in  store  for  you — where  a  happiness  be- 
yond comparison  awaits  the  faithful  soul ! 

The  fourth  ray  which  falls  upon  the  troubled  and 
dejected  heart,  from  the  Sun  of  justice,  and  gilds  with 
celestial  hope  the  night  of  the  soul,  is  the  thought : 
*'The  more  we  endure  for  God,  through  pure  love  of 
Him,  the  more  exquisite  will  be  our  bliss  in  heaven." 
There  God  will  reward  us  for  faithfully  practising  those 
virtues  so  repugnant  to  human  nature  ;  for  the  Holy 
Ghost,  speaking  through  St.  James,  says  that  patience 
hath  a  perfect  work.  Wherefore  ?  We  may  easily  per- 
ceive the  reason.  All  theological  and  moral  virtues 
are  contained  in  the  exercise  of  this  admirable  virtue. 
Truly,  an  act  of  patience  is  the  most  glorious  manner 
of  practising  faith,  hope,  and  charity,  and  every  moral 
virtue  ;  for  trials  borne  with  patience  rigidly  test  the 
strength  of  our  liumility,  self-denial,  and  the  four  car- 
dinal virtues  —  Prudence,  Justice,  Temperance,  and 
Fortitude  —  without  which  there  is  no  true  virtue. 


THIRD    SERMON.  279 

Since,  then,  the  only  object  for  which  we  have  been 
placed  on  earth  is  to  gain  merits  for  heaven,  what 
comfort  must  we  not  find  in  the  thought  that  trials 
and  troubles  come  from  God,  and  that  every  affliction 
patiently  endured  will  turn  to  a  brilliant  gem  to  adorn 
our  heavenly  crown. 

In  conclusion,  the  fifth  ray  of  brilliant  light  which 
comes  from  the  Sun  of  justice,  and  cheers  our  fainting 
spirits  is  the  thought  that  the  longest  suffering  here 
on  earth  is  but  brief.  The  passion  of  Christ  was  brief. 
It  lasted  but  from  one  evening  until  the  next,  and  soon 
He  entered  the  joy  of  the  Lord,  the  eternal  bliss  of 
heaven.  The  longest  life  is  short  compared  to  eternity. 
Could  man,  through  one  breath  of  affliction,  merit  joys 
for  his  whole  life,  and  if  that  life  could  last  a  thousand 
years,  nevertheless  one  breath  would  be  infinitely  longer 
in  comparison  to  a  thousand  years  than  would  a  life  of 
a  thousand  years  be  in  regard  to  eternity. 

But  a  little  while,  O  sorrowful  hearts!  St.  Peter  says, 
the  afflicted  shall  rejoice  in  joy  inexpressible.  Do  you 
hear  these  blessed  words  ?  In  your  deep  desolation 
and  abandonment  of  soul  go  to  Mount  Olivet  and  pros- 
trate yourselves  near  your  suffering  Saviour,  and  the 
lovely  radiance  of  those  five  celestial  rays  will  cast  their 
consoling  light  upon  your  grief  and  cheer  your  dark- 
ened lives.  Then,  through  Christ,  the  Sun  of  justice, 
the  Risen  Lord,  will  your  night  of  sorrow  be  merged 
in  the  brightness  of  spiritual  joy,  through  which  you 
will  reach  the  eternal  day. — Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

"Now  there  stood  by  the  cross,  Mary  His  mother." — John  xix,  25. 

YESTERDAY,  beloved  in  Christ,  the  example  of 
Judas  the  traitor  was  held  up  to  us  as  a  terrible 
warning  upon  which  every  sinner  might  meditate,  and, 
perhaps,  realize  the  consequences  of  such  total  atrocity 
and  utter  hardness  of  heart.  That  warning  might  be, 
for  many,  the  very  last  grace  vouchsafed  by  God  !  Oh, 
may  it  not  be  in  vain  !  What  reason  has  not  the  sin- 
ner to  strike  his  breast,  and  cry  out :  "  O  God,  be 
merciful  to  me,  for  my  sins  have  been  as  great,  per- 
haps, as  those  of  Judas,  and  more  frequent !  '•'  Yes, 
sinners,  it  is  even  so  ;  for  Judas,  wretch  though  he 
was,  did  not  try  to  pervert  his  fellow-laborers,  the 
Apostles;  while  you,  how  many  innocent  souls  have 
you  not  led  astray,  both  by  word  and  example?  How 
many  souls,  most  dear  and  precious  to  the  Heart  of 
Jesus,  have  you  not  turned  away  from  Him?  ''  Woe  to 
him  by  whom  scandals  come.  It  were  better  for  that 
man  that  a  millstone  be  hanged  about  his  neck,  and 
that  he  were  drowned  in  the  depths  of  the  sea."  And 
yet,  my  brethren,  if,  among  my  hearers  there  are  any 

who  have  been  guilty  of  grievous  sin,  I  would  say  to 

(280) 


FIRST    SERMON.  28 1 

them,  do  not  despair.  Even  though  each  passing  year 
has  witnessed  the  commission  of  crimes,  each  one 
more  terrible  than  the  last;  nay,  even  if  you  have 
lived  as  an  incarnate  devil,  do  not  despair.  Look  upon 
Mary  beneath  the  cross.  Call  upon  her ;  she  will  take 
you  under  her  maternal  protection  ;  lead  you  to  her 
divine  Son,  who  can  refuse  her  nothing  ;  and  obtain  for 
you  the  grace  of  a  true  conversion ;  for  is  she  not  the 
one  chosen  by  God,  and  destined  to  be  the  Mother  of 
mercy,  the  refuge  of  sinners  ? 

As  the  subject  of  our  present  meditation,  my  dear 
brethren, — 

Let  us  consider  the  wonderful  power  contained  in  the 
words  uttered  by  Jesus  on  the  cross,  those  seven  last 
words  which  inspired  the  sweet  heart  of  the  Virgin 
Mother  with  an  ardent  wish  to  save  and  rescue  sinners. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  mercy,  show  thyself  a  merciful 
mother,  especially  towards  those  erring  children,  who 
have  come  here  to-night,  their  hearts  heavy  with  the 
burden  of  sin ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the  greater 
honor  and  glory  of  God! 


As  it  seemed  good  to  the  Lord  to  place  a  help- 
mate by  the  side  of  the  earthly  Adam,  so  we  behold 
at  the  side  of  Jesus,  the  heavenly  Adam,  Mary,  the 
Eve  of  the  New  Law  ;  that,  as  by  the  fall  of  the  first 
Adam  and  Eve  the  whole  human  race  was  plunged 
into  an  abyss  of  woe,  so  through  the  second — Jesus 


282  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

and  Mary — rescued  man  was  led  to  hope  for  heaven. 
It  is  true  that,  in  the  abstract,  it  was  the  merits  of 
Christ  alone  which  effected  our  redemption,  yet,  that 
its  fruits  might  be  imparted  to  man  individually,  Jesus 
was  pleased  to  place  by  his  side  a  mother — Mary — 
for  the  consolation  and  assistance  of  the  human  race. 

]^sus  me7Hted ;  yidivy  distributes  thos^m^r its.  There- 
fore, God  filled  her  heart  with  the  most  fervent  affec- 
tion for  us,  who  have  been  born  in  sin,  ensnared  by 
numberless  temptations,  walking  in  the  path  to 
heaven,  it  may  be,  but  in  constant  danger  of  going 
astray,  and  persecuted  by  the  enemies  of  our  salvation 
who  rejoice  when  we  make  but  one  false  step,  hoping 
thereby  that  we  will  become  their  prey  forever.  Mary's 
heart  is  filled  with  the  most  unspeakable  compassion 
for  us  ;  and  no  mother,  of  her  own  natural  inclination, 
so  fondly  loves  a  child,  so  tenderly  cares  for  its  wel- 
fare, so  untiringly  watches  over  it  in  every  danger,  as 
does  Mary  in  regard  to  the  children  of  men  ;  espe- 
cially if  they  have  had  the  happiness  of  receiving  bap- 
tism as  members  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church.  "  Come 
ye  all  tome,  and  be  filled  with  my  fruits."  Thus  does 
Holy  Church  cry  out  to  those  who  zealously  walk 
under  her  protection  and  patronage  in  the  way  of  per- 
fection, the  path  which  leads  to  the  joys  of  heaven. 

But  with  far  more  earnestness  and  devotion  does 
this  exclamation  come  forth  from  the  mother  of  love 
and  mercy  to  every  soul  that  has  fallen  into  sin. 
''Come  back,"  this  tender  mother  cries:  ''forsake 
your  sinful  lives,  and  live  for  God."    The  jreason  'why 


FIRST    SERMON.  283 

the  Saviour  placed  His  mother  beneath  the  cross  is 
given  by  St.  Bonaventure,  in  the  following  touching 
words  :  ''  Divine  mercy  was  pleased  to  place  beneath 
the  world's  redeeming  wood,  a  creature  who  would 
be  wholly  merciful,  and  her  name  is  Mary."  Jesus  did 
so  that  no  sinner  need  ever  despair,  that  no  soul  need 
be  lost.  St.  Bernard  says:  *' You  dare  not  go  to 
Christ  because  you  have  crucified  Him,  and,  besides, 
He  will  one  day  be  your  Judge;  but  look  at  Mary, 
hasten  to  her ;  she  is  all  mercy.  In  her,  so  tender, 
kind,  and  loving,  there  is  nothing  at  which  you  could 
take  alarm.  She  is  a  mother  who  will  lead  you  to  her 
Son;  who  will  reconcile  you  through  that  precious 
blood  He  shed  upon  the  cro^s,  to  His  eternal  Father.'* 
Mary  herself  gave  the  same  assurance  to  St.  Bridget 
in  a  vision:  "There  is  no  sinner  so  great,"  she  said, 
**who,  when  he  calls  upon  me  and  comes  to  me,  will 
be  cast  off,  and  refused  forgiveness."  During  the 
earthly  life  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  her  heart  burned 
with  the  desire  to  lead  souls  to  Christ. 

Oh,  with  what  joy  did  she  behold  them  return  to  the 
path  of  virtue  after  they  had  strayed  therefrom,  and 
to  a  life  of  sanctity  after  they  had  abandoned  their 
evil  ways !  But,  beloved  in  Christ,  how  immeasurably 
was  this  desire  increased  when  she  stood  so  near  her 
dying  Son,  and  heard  the  words  uttered  by  His* 
parched  and  livid  lips : 

*' Father,  forgive  them;  they  know  not  what  they 

do,"  were  the  first  precious  words  which  welled  up 

from  the  agonizing  heart.    The  mother  listened,  and 
19 


284  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

resolved  to  make  it  her  dearest  care  to  lead  the  sin- 
ner back  to  God,  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  might  not  be 
shed  in  vain.  "O  my  Jesus!"  was  the  prayer  she 
put  forth  to  her  crucified  Son,  "  I  know  well  that  for 
love  of  souls  Thou  didst  choose  this  painfnl  death,  to 
deliver  them  from  the  curse  of  sin ;  therefore,  I  unite 
my  petition  to  Thine,  and  cry  with  Thee :  Heavenly 
Father,  forgive  !  Receive  my  only-begotten  Son ;  I 
offer  Him  to  Thee  with  all  His  merits,  together  with 
my  own,  which  I  have  gained  by  Thy  divine  grace, 
or  may  merit  until  the  end  of  my  life.  Have  mercy, 
I  beseech  Thee,  upon  the  sinful  children  of  men!" 

''Amen  I  say  unto  thee;  this  day  shalt  thou  be 
with  Me  in  Paradise." 

Mary  listened,  and  still  her  desire  for  the  salvation 
of  souls  increased  ;  for  her  compassionate  heart  shud- 
dered at  the  terrible  torments  into  which  those  who 
were  lost  would  be  plunged.  And  in  proportion  to 
the  number  saved  by  the  life,  death,  and  passion  of 
Christ,  will  the  glory  and  beatitude  of  the  Sacred 
Heart  be  increased  in  heaven. 

''  Woman,  behold  thy  son ;  son,  behold  thy  mother." 

How  precious  are  the  words  which  fall  from  the  dy- 
ing lips  of  a  beloved  friend ! 

How  much  dearer  are  they  when  it  is  an  only  son. 
Mary  listened,  and  the  wish  of  her  heart  grew  still  more 
intense,  as  the  Saviour  spoke,  to  save  every  soul.  By 
these  words  He  solemnly  declared  before  heaven  and 
earth  that  to  Mary  He  bequeathed  the  children  of 
Adam,  that  she  might,  through  her  intercession,  aid 


FIRST   SERMON.  285 

in  their  salvation  with  the  love,  tenderness,  and  mag- 
nanimity which  has  marked  her  love  for  Him.  And 
can  we  doubt  that  the  sorrowful  mother  promised  to 
do  so?  And  the  blood,  which  gushed  from  the  five 
sacred  wounds,  fell  upon  her  there,  thus  sealing  the 
solemn  promise  she  made  to  Christ. 

''  My  God !  my  God  !  why  hast  thou  forsaken  Me  ? '' 

Mary  understood  the  meaning  of  this  complaint. 
Christ  suffered,  as  it  were,  the  punishment  of  separa- 
tion from  God,  incurred  on  account  of  sin  ;  but  what 
more  than  all  afflicted  His  heart,  was  the  knowledge, 
that  in  spite  of  that  blood  He  so  freely  shed  for  man 
amid  temptations,  trials,  afflictions,  and  intense  pain, 
for  so  many  it  would  be  shed  in  vain. 

**  I  thirst!  "  It  was  not  sufficient  for  the  Saviour  to 
deliver  us  from  the  curse  of  sin,  but  He  would  fain 
induce  us  to  imitate  His  example,  though  life  itself 
might  be  the  penalty.  Mary  heard  and  understood 
the  plaintive  cry,  and  her  wish  grew  stronger  still  to 
win  souls  for  heaven,  and  console  the  Sacred  Heart. 

"  It  is  consummated  !  "  The  work  of  redemption  is 
finished,  and  Jesus  leaves  this  world  with  the  words: 
"  Father,  into  Thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit."  *'  Be- 
hold the  completion  of  the  work  for  which  Thou  didst 
send  me  here." 

This  perseverance  unto  the  end  is  the  perfect  ful- 
fillment of  the  divine  will ;  but  it  is  a  grace  which,  in 
reality,  not  one  of  the  saints  in  heaven  who  reached 
that  happy  home  thereby  merited  of  himself;  but  as 
Holy  Scripture  tells  us,  and  the  holy  fathers  unani- 


\ 

286  FEAST    OP^    (iOOI)    FRIDAY. 

mously  assert,  a  solid  and  tender  devotion  to  Mary  is 
a  certain  sign  of  election.  •'  Whosoever  finds  Me 
finds  life,  and  draws  salvation  from  the  Lord,"  says  the 
Holy  Ghost,  through  the  Church,  in  reference  to  the 
ever  blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

"  Father,  into  Thy  hands  I  commend  My  Spirit." 
With  the  most  implicit  confidence  may  her  devoted 
clients,  as  this  world  recedes  from  their  dying  eyes, 
breathe  forth  the  prayer  which  the  Saviour  uttered  on 
the  cross. 

When  St.  John  of  God  was  dying,  suddenly  there 
appeared  to  him  the  pure  and  loving  Mother  of  Jesus 
at  the  very  moment  that  he  had  ceased  to  hope  for 
that  favor.  But  Mary,  who  had  promised  to  be  there, 
sweetly  said  to  this  faithful  servant :  "  My  dear  son  I 
never  forsake  my  children  in  this  solemn  hour."  O 
sinners,  do  not  lose  courage,  hasten  to  Mary,  call  upon 
her,  seek  her  assistance,  and  she  will  help  you  to  make 
a  good  confession !  Draw  from  her  bleeding  heart 
those  seven  swords  of  grief  which  your  sins  have 
thrust  therein, — the  sword  of  delay  in  conversion,  of 
impenitence,  of  scandal,  of  indifference  in  matters  of 
religion,  of  disdain  towards  the  Church  and  her  min- 
isters. 

Judas  forgot  to  call  upon  her.  O  sinners,  for 
Christ's  dear  sake  forget  not  so  sure  a  refuge,  who  is 
ready  to  help,  who  longs  to  save  your  souls ! 

O  Mary,  with  St.  John  we  sink  down  at  thy  feet, 
even  as  if,  with  Him,  thy  adopted  Son,  we  were  now 
on  Calvary,  and  cry  out  from  the  very  depths  of  our 


FIRST    SERMON.  287 

contrite  hearts:  ''O  Mother  of  mercy,  be  merciful 
unto  us,  by  the  memory  of  those  sorrows  which  thou 
didst  endure  upon  the  sacred  mount.  Obtain  for  us 
the  grace  of  true  contrition  of  heart,  a  Hfe  free  from 
sin,  and  a  happy  death  through  Jesus  Christ,  our  cru- 
cified Lord  and  Redeemer. — Amen ! 


288  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

SECOND    SERMON. 

"And  when  Jesus  saw  His  Mother  and  the  disciple  whom  He  loved,  He 
said:   Behold  thy  Mother," — St.  John  xix,  26. 

YESTERDAY  we  considered  St.  John,  the  disciple 
of  love ;  and  his  beautiful  example  pointed  out  to 
us,  in  the  clearest  manner,  the  conditions  necessary  for 
approaching  the  Table  of  the  Lord,  so  as  to  partake  of 
the  heavenly  food  in  a  worthy  manner ;  and,  after  its 
reception,  to  unite  ourselves  so  intimately  with  Christ 
that  our  reception  of  the  Holy  Communion  may  be  in- 
deed like  that  of  St.  John,  and  produce  in  our  souls 
the  same  effects  of  sanctifying  love.  To-day  the  scene 
is  changed. 

Let  us  glance  at  him  as  he  stands  beneath  the  cross, 
beside  Mary,  the  Mother  of  fair  love,  and  learn  no  less 
expressly  the  conditions  upon  which  we,  ransomed  sons 
of  men,  through  the  passion  and  death  of  Christ,  may 
reap  the  fruits  of  the  Redemption  in  their  fullness  for 
time  and  eternity. 

To-day  also  his  characteristic  feature,  as  disciple  of 
love,  exemplifies  these  conditions.    And  why? 

Because  the  more  sincere  our  love  for  Jesus ^  the  more 
perfectly  will  our  hearts  be  prepared  to  appropriate 
these  fruits ;  and,  from  the  wounds  of  our  crucified 
Saviour  to  receive,  without  intermission,  new  distribu- 
tions of  grace. 

O  Mary,  who,  under  the  cross,  didst  adopt  St.  John 
as  thy  son,  adopt  us  to-day  in  like  manner  as  thy  chil- 


SECOND    SERMON.  289 

dren,  and  obtain  for  us  that  love  for  Jesus  which  filled 
his  fervent  heart ! 

I   speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


If  yesterday  we  beheld  in  spirit  St.  John  at  the 
Holy  Table  resting  upon  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus, 
we  learned  also  how  fully  he  merited,  above  all  the 
other  Apostles,  the  title,  ''  disciple  of  love."  And,  on 
this  day,  so  sad,  so  full  of  mournful  memories,  and  yet 
replete  with  consolation  too,  we  perceive  that  again 
he  is  favored,  above  all  the  other  Apostles,  in  being 
allowed  to  stand  by  the  Mother  of  Jesus  beneath  the 
cross.  Oh,  that  we  all  would  avail  ourselves  of  the  priv- 
ilege of  being  near  Jesus — present  in  the  Blessed  Sac- 
rament— by  visiting  and  receiving  the  Son  of  God  ! 

The  fervent  love  which  inflamed  the  heart  of  St. 
John  shows  us  at  once  what  will  render  our  inter- 
course with  Jesus  like  unto  his.  And  now  the  love, 
which  burned  so  brightly  amid  the  spiritual  joys  of 
that  holy  eventide,  retains  its  ardor  toward  the  cruci- 
fied One  in  all  the  desolation  of  this  bitter  hour.  It 
glowed  in  the  faithful  heart  of  St.  John  on  Calvary, 
and  exercised  a  sublime  influence  upon  the  holiness 
of  his  after  life. 

To  understand  better  what  kind  of  affections  they 
were  which  rendered  St.  John  so  dear  and  precious 
to  his  suffering  Saviour,  let  us  glance  first  at  Mary — 
the  Mother  of  Sorrows,  the  Queen  of  Martyrs,  and 
the  type  of  all  that  is  holy  and  beautiful  in  love — and 


290  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

think  of  the  sentiments  which  filled  her  maternal  heart 
as  she  endured  each  separate  pain  inflicted  on  her 
beloved  Son,  for  it  found  its  echo  there.  And  these 
affections  were  mirrored  in  the  dear  disciple's  faithful 
heart,  causing  Jesus  to  give,  before  He  left  this  world, 
His  loving  Mother  an  affectionate  son.  And  what  were 
the  feelings  of  this  blessed  Mother  in  that  solemn  hour, 
when  she  beheld  the  consummation  of  what  had  begun 
some  three  and  thirty  years  before  ?  Compassion,  ado- 
ration, thanksgiving,  and  perfect  resignation  to  the  most 
holy  will  of  God. 

Ah,  yes !  compassion.  The  sight  of  a  poor  body 
covered  with  wounds,  bruised,  and  bleeding,  always 
awakens  it,  especially  if  the  sufferer  be  the  innocent 
victim  of  malice  ;  and  this  feeling  is  intensified  if  he 
be  connected  with  us  by  the  ties  of  love  or  blood.  Im- 
agine, then,  the  feelings  of  a  loving  mother  when  her 
darling  child  lies  wounded  or  dying  in  her  arms ! 

During  one  of  my  missions  the  following  painful 
illustration  of  this  came  under  my  personal  observa- 
tion :  Two  children — two  innocent  little  children — 
were  at  play  in  the  yard  near  by  their  dwelling,  where 
an  elder  brother  was  splitting  wood.  Unfortunately, 
the  stroke  of  the  axe  fell  on  the  hand  of  the  little 
golden-haired  boy  of  five — the  youngest  of  the  three. 
The  hand  was  almost  completely  severed  from  the 
wrist,  and  was  kept  thereon  only  by  a  slender  piece 
of  skin.  Horrified,  the  brothers  carried  the  little  one 
to  his  mother,  who  gave  one  look  and  fell  fainting 
on  the  floor.  Judge,  then,  of  the  grief  of  the  Blessed 


SECOND    SERMON.  29I 

Virgin,  who  possessed  the  feeHngs  of  a  loving  mother 
in  .the  highest  degree. 

And  yet,  with  the  sharp  sword  of  sorrow  piercing 
her  heart,  she  stood  calmly  by,  and  thought  of  the 
priceless  value  of  those  sufferings  which  Jesus  under- 
went. She,  who  bore  so  large  a  part  in  the  redemp- 
tion of  man — Queen  of  Apostles,  and  seat  of  divine 
wisdom — adored  the  decree  of  God,  which  was  com- 
pleted through  the  passion  and  death  of  Christ,  that 
through  the  sufferings  of  a  God  mankind  should  be 
redeemed. 

Mary's  heart  was  full  of  adoration  combined  with 
gratitude  for  her  own  election  as  Mother  of  the  Re- 
deemer. Gratitude  that  she  was  permitted  to  stand 
by  the  cross  and  nearest  to  Him.  She  thanked  God 
that  she  was  permitted  to  unite  her  sufferings  with 
those  of  her  divine  Son  ;  and  that  unto  her  was  given 
to  be  mediatrix  between  Him  and  the  human  race. 
She  bowed  in  meek  submission,  saying,  as  first  she 
did  in  Nazareth  :  ''  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord ; 
be  it  done  unto  me  according  to  Thy  word."  Thus 
prayed  the  Mother  of  God,  even  while  the  shadow  of 
the  cross  was  darkening  her  future  life,  and  the  sword 
of  grief,  which  Simeon  promised,  pierced  through  her 
very  heart. 

And  in  all  this  St.  John,  the  beloved  disciple,  was 
her  counterpart.  He  felt  the  most  tender  pity  when 
looking  up  at  the  dying  Saviour,  now  truly  the  Man 
of  Sorrows.  What  a  change  in  Him  since  the  even- 
ing of  the  Last  Supper,  that  Holy  Repast,  the  intense 


292  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

joy  of  which  could  never  be  forgotten,  and  which 
proved  the  sweetest  solace  in  the  anguish  of  the 
present  hour!  There  the  Son  of  God  appeared  the 
most  beautiful  among  the  children  of  men ;  now,  the 
glory  was  dimmed,  and  there  was  no  comeliness  in 
Him.  St.  John  was  also  deeply  grateful  for  having 
been  chosen  by  Christ  to  walk  by  His  side  through 
life,  to  stand  by  Him  in  death.  He,  too,  made  the 
sacrifice  of  his  own  will,  as  the  Blessed  Mother  did. 
Compassion,  adoration,  gratitude,  and  submission! 

We,  too,  can  participate  in  these  affections ;  and  we 
must  do  so,  if  we  would  share  to  the  full  extent  in  the 
merits  of  Jesus's  death. 

But  will  it  suffice  to  stop  at  mere  feeling?  So  far 
from  it,  that  to  think  so  would  be  one  of  the  greatest 
illusions,  and  must  be  severely  guarded  against;  for 
St.  John  tells  us  that  we  must  love,  not  in  words  alone, 
but  in  deeds.  That  our  love  for  the  crucified  One  may 
prove  itself  as  true,  sacrificing,  and  faithful  as  that  of 
St.  John,  let  us  keep  ever  in  view  the  words  spoken 
by  Him  upon  the  cross,  which,  falling  upon  the  ear  of 
affection  strained  to  catch  even  the  faintest  whisper 
of  his  beloved  Lord,  illumined  the  soul  of  St.  John  for 
the  rest  of  his  life,  and  guided  him  in  the  way  of  sal- 
vation with  their  beautiful  light. 

Let  us  apply  them  to  ourselves,  and  imagine  that 
Jesus  addresses  us  thus  : 

*' Souls  redeemed  by  Me  at  the  cost  of  such  bitter 
anguish,  if  you  love  Me,  sin  no  more ;  but  profit  by 
these  my  sufferings,  and  aim  for  the  joys  of  heaven." 


SECOND    SERMON.  293 

Ah,  yes  !  my  dearest  brethren !  when  pleasure's  se- 
ducing cup  is  held  to  your  Hps,  and  you  can  not  quaff 
therefrom  without  committing  sin,  pause  then,  and 
think  of  the  weary  years  of  pain  which  Jesus  spent  on 
earth  !  Think  of  that  Hfe  of  toil  and  trial  crowned  in 
the  latter  years  by  suffering  and  anguish  such  as  the 
mind  could  never  conceive,  and  an  ignominious  death, 
and  all  for  you  !  Think  of  this,  friends,  and  dash  the 
poisoned  cup  away ! 

Yes,  it  was  sin  which  crucified  your  Saviour ;  and  St. 
John  grieved  over  the  slightest  shadow  of  evil  which 
might  have  fallen  on  his  soul ;  but  we  may  well  be- 
lieve that,  after  he  listened  to  the  words  :  "  Father,  for- 
give," his  beautiful  soul  was  never  stained  with  the 
smallest  fault. 

**Amen,  I  say  to  thee;  this  day  thou  shalt  be  with 
Me  in  paradise."  To  St.  John  was  granted  the  won- 
derful privilege  of  beholding  the  glories  of  heaven 
while  yet  on  earth.  Detach  your  hearts  from  the 
empty  treasures  of  this  world ;  for,  if  you  would 
arise  with  Christ,  seek,  first  the  things  which  are  of 
Christ. 

''  Woman,  behold  thy  son."  ''  Son,  behold  thy  Moth- 
er." St.  John  heard  the  words  ;  he  glanced  at  Mary, 
drew  nearer,  and  threw  himself  at  her  feet  beneath 
the  cross.  Then  he  embraced  his  adopted  Mother 
with  all  the  fervor  of  filial  love.  My  dear  brethren, 
show  your  love  to  Jesus  by  a  tender  devotion  and 
love  to  Mary.  Love  her  with  a  truly  filial  love  ;  for 
Christ,  according  to  St.   Bridget  and  other  spiritual 


294  FEAST    OF    GOOD    FRIDAY. 

writers,  has  given,  in  the  person  of  St.  John,  the  en- 
tire human  race  to  Mary  as  her  children. 

*'  My  God!  my  God  !  why  hast  thou  forsaken  Me?" 
Man's  Hfe  is  a  warfare ;  and,  at  times,  it  seems  indeed 
as  if  we  were  entirely  forsaken.  Let  us,  then,  like  St. 
John,  be  ready  to  suffer  every  thing,  and  to  give  up 
our  very  lives  rather  than  commit  one  single  venial 
sin. 

Look,  with  the  beloved  disciple,  at  Jesus,  the  cruci- 
fied One,  and  you  will  conquer  and  overcome. 

"  I  thirst."  St.  John  listened.  Jesus  thirsts  after 
souls,  and  this  favored  Aposde  understood  the  mourn- 
ful cry.  And  do  you  not  think  that  he  promised  the 
Lord,  as  a  true  disciple,  to  spread  His  kingdom,  and 
to  labor  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  the  value  of  which 
he  saw  more  clearly  in  that  solemn  hour  when  he  wit- 
nessed the  incalculable  cost  of  their  redemption? 

Try,  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  to  imitate  him  in  his 
zeal  for  the  rescue  of  human  souls. 

*'Jt  is  consummated."  Fidelity  to  the  very  end  is 
the  most  convincing  proof  of  true  love,  which  "many 
waters  can  not  quench,"  as  Holy  Scripture  affirms. 
Be  faithful,  then,  O  Christians,  whose  salvation  has 
been  purchased  at  such  a  price ;  and,  for  love  of  Him 
whose  sufferings  we  commemorate  to-night,  falter  not, 
but  persevere  until  the  last.  And  then  when  that  awful 
day  will  dawn,  which  hath  for  you  no  night,  or  that 
evening  twilight  fall,  of  which  you  will  never  see  the 
morn,  with  perfect  hope  you  can  sigh :  '*  Come,  my 
Jesus,  come,"  and  yield  up  your  spirit  in  the  affections 


SECOND    SERMON.  295 

of  your  faithful  love  to  Him  with  the  longing  desire 
of  St.  John,  and  the  holy  confidence  of  St.  Francis 
Xavier.  Ah,  yes  !  then  you  may  well  cry  out :  '*  I  have 
loved  and  trusted  in  Thee,  O  my  God,  and  will  there- 
fore never  be  confounded.  I  die  in  Thy  blessed  arms, 
O  Jesus,  my  Crucified  Love." — Amen! 


296  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

**0  death,  where  is  thy  sting?" — i  Cor.  xv,  55. 

IF  I,  dearly  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  have  meditated 
with  you  upon  the  manifold  miseries  which  drape 
our  lives  with  the  sable  hue  of  gloom,  I  have  also  re- 
minded you  how  Christ,  the  luminous  Sun  of  justice, 
shines  even  amid  this  mournful  night  and  brightens  it 
with  the  most  consoling  rays  of  hope.  There  is,  how- 
ever, a  still  greater  likeness  between  a  dark  and  star- 
less night  and  the  condition  of  the  departing  soul. 
Oh,  how  terrible  is  the  darkness  which  overshadows 
it  at  the  approach  of  that  moment  which  is  to  witness 
the  separation  of  the  soul  from  that  body  to  which  it 
has  been  so  long  and  so  intimately  united — when  it 
must  depart  alone,  and,  uncheered  by  the  companion- 
ship of  even  one  earthly  friend,  enter  on  a  path  all 
new  and  strange, ''  the  house  of  its  eternity !  "  The  sight 
leaves  the  dim  and  fading  eyes,  and  night  comes  for 
that  dying  man,  although  the  sun's  bright  glow  may 
fill  the  room.  But,  alas !  the  shadows  fall  deeper  still 
when  despair  sets  in,  and  envelop  the  departing  soul 
in  a  night  of  desolation  and  woe. 

Yes,  even  to  God's  saints  has  it  been  given  to  walk 
through  the  dark  valley  of  bitter  agony  before  they 
could  enter  the  joys  of  heaven.  The  great  St.  Hilary 
trembled  when  his  death  hour  approached,  thinking 
of  the  words  of  St.  Paul:  "It  is  terrible  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  living  God  ;  "  but,  taking  courage,  he  ex- 


THIRD    SERMON.  297 

claimed:  ''What!  You  have  served  God  for  seventy 
years,  and  now  are  afraid  to  appear  before  Him.  Fear 
not,  my  soul,  but  go  forth  to  meet  your  God  ;  "  and  so 
he  departed,  full  of  holy  hope. 

Would  you  also,  my  brethren,  be  blessed  with  the 
sweet  confidence  of  St.  Hilary  at  the  hour  of  death  ? 
It  is  in  your  power — 

Fo7'  what  animates  the  dying  Christian  zvho  has  faith- 
fully  served  his  Lord,  is  a  glance  at  the  crucifix  which 
is  placed  in  his  hands  ;  for  Christ  is  the  Sun  which  bright- 
ens the  dark  hour  of  death. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  a  happy  passage,  as  the  twilight 
of  life  gathers  over  our  souls,  assist  us  by  thy  prayers, 
that  our  eyes  may  unclose  upon  the  eternal  day ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


As  we  read  in  the  lives  of  the  holy  fathers  in  the 
desert,  who  lived  in  their  little  cells  in  Egypt,  it  came 
to  pass  that  an  Abbot  of  great  renown  lay  on  his  dying 
bed.  His  spiritual  children,  who  loved  and  revered  him 
for  his  wonderful  sanctity,  gathered  from  far  and  near 
to  witness  that  edifying  death  and  pray  for  the  depart- 
ing soul.  The  face  of  the  dying  man  was  illumined 
with  divine  love  as  he  uttered  distinctly  the  words  : 
''  Behold,  the  choir  of  patriarchs  approaches  to  meet 
me."  The  hermits,  in  awe,  remained  silent,  and  vent- 
ured not  to  speak  ;  when,  after  a  short  pause,  there  fell 
upon  the  listening  group  an  exultant  cry:  ''  Behold,  the 


298  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

venerable  prophets  are  coming  to  meet  me." — After  a 
brief  silence  his  countenance  became  still  more  brill- 
iant as,  lifting  up  his  voice,  he  exclaimed:  ''  The  apos- 
tles of  Christ  are  here,  and  wish  to  bear  me  away  to 
heaven." — Another  interval  of  silence  ;  the  lips  of  the 
venerable  servant  of  God  moved  again  ;  and  on  being 
asked  with  whom  he  was  conversing,  he  replied :  ''  The 
angels  are  here,  and  wish  me  to  go  with  them,  that 
they  may  introduce  me  to  the  joys  of  heaven ;  but  I 
ask  them  to  leave  me  here  still  longer,  that  I  may 
perform  more  penance  for  my  sins."  One  of  the  fa- 
rthers then  said:  "Venerable  Abbot,  you  do  not  need 
to  do  longer  penance." — And  behold,  his  face  shone 
as  if  he  were  in  an  ecstasy  of  delight,  and  he  cried: 
"  Jesus  my  Saviour  cometh !  "  and  with  these  words  the 
lovely  dawn  of  a  happy  eternity  broke  upon  his  soul, 
as  it, went  forth  to  dwell  forever  with  God. 

My  dearest  Christians,  a  similar  halo  of  consolation 
may  one  day  irradiate  your  dying  bed,  if  you  be  but 
faithful,  when  Christ  the  Lord,  not  only  in  vision,  but 
with  body  and  soul,  divinity  and  humanity,  comes  to 
your  hearts.  The  priest  will  administer  to  you  the 
Sacred  Host  as  viaticum  before  you  go  to  receive  the 
reward  of  a  well-spent  life. 

This  blessed  assurance  which  I  give  you,  however, 
from  this  holy  place,  can  not  be  offered  to  every  dying 
person,  but  only  to  such  as  have  believed  and  hoped 
and  loved  during  life,  and  who  have  observed  all  the 
commandments  of  God  and  of  His  Church.  Even  they, 
as  I  said  before,  may  in  their  last  agony,  by  the  per- 


THIRD    SERMON.  299 

mission  of  God,  feel  a  great  interior  desolation  for  their 
greater  purification,  that  they  may  enter  at  once  into 
everlasting  bliss. 

We  have  considered  the  trials  which,  from  the  cra- 
dle to  the  grave,  are  the  lot  of  man,  in  my  discourse 
of  yesterday,  and  beheld  the  five  rays  which  come 
from  the  sorrowful  heart  of  the  agonizing  Jesus,  to 
encourage  us  amid  these  trials  and  troubles,  and  also 
in  the  many  and  violent  temptations  which  will  en- 
compass the  soul. 

In  the  terrors  of  death's  dark  night,  my  dear  breth- 
ren, there  will  be  seven  consoling  rays  in  the  seven 
words  which  Jesus  spoke  upon  the  cross,  and  of  those 
I  will  speak  to-night. 

"Father,  forgive."  This  is  the  first  ray  which  illu- 
mines the  night  of  death  for  the  faithful  child  of  the 
Church.  It  is  a  most  sweet  solace  for  those  who  have 
never  offended  God  by  mortal  sin — who  have  ever 
cherished  unspotted  the  white  robe  of  their  baptismal 
innocence.  Alas !  they  are  but  few.  We  know  that  the 
angelic  youth  St.  Aloysius  received  the  tidings  of  his 
approaching  death  with  the  greatest  joy,  for  he  imme- 
diately entoned  the  Te  Deum. 

But  few  who  pass  the  morning  of  life,  not  to  speak 
of  those  who  have  borne  the  burdens  of  years,  leave 
this  world  with  their  baptismal  innocence  unstained. 
I  look  around  this  sacred  edifice  and  see  before  me  a 
goodly  multitude  who  have  come  hither  to  commemo- 
rate the  Saviour's  death,  and  perhaps — alas !  I  fear  't  is 
more  than  a  perhaps — many  of  them  have  so  deeply 


300  FEAST   OF    GOOD   FRIDAY. 

offended  the  crucified  Saviour  that  conscience  tor- 
ments them  and  gives  them  no  rest ;  and  they  say : 
''  What  will  become  of  us  if,  in  our  dying  moments, 
Satan  holds  up  the  long  list  of  our  offenses  in  all  their 
enormity?"  Do  not  despair:  confess  those  sins  with 
fervent  sorrow ;  the  blood  of  Jesus  will  wash  the  guilt 
away;  else,  why  did  He  cry  to  the  eternal  God :  ''Fa- 
ther, forgive"? 

It  may  be  that,  although  you  have  sinned,  you  have 
already  repented  and  sought  reconciliation  with  God 
by  a  good  confession.  If  so,  how  sweet  those  words 
for  you  :  ''  Father,  forgive  "  !  And  Who  uttered  them? 
The  same  Christ  Who  said  to  His  Apostles  and  their 
successors  in  the  holy  ministry  to  the  end  of  time : 
''Whose  sins  you  shall  forgive,  they  are  forgiven 
them;  and  whose  sins-  you  shall  retain,  they  are  re- 
tained;"— the  same  Jesus  Who,  to  strengthen  you  at 
the  hour  of  death,  instituted  the  sacrament  of  Extreme 
Unction,  which  washes  away  the  least  trace  and  stain 
of  sin  from  the  soul,  and  even  the  relics  of  sin.  It  is 
the  same  Saviour  Who  will  forgive  your  sins  at  any 
time  while  the  breath  still  lingers  in  your  body,  even 
at  the  very  final  moment,  through  the  infinite  merits 
of  His  passion  and  death.  Yes,  my  brethren,  He  will 
do  this  if  you  but  turn  your  dying  eyes  upon  Him 
with  a  confiding  and  repentant  heart ;  for  a  single 
drop  of  His  precious  blood,  of  which  the  value  is  infi- 
nite, would  be  sufficient  to  redeem  a  thousand  worlds. 

Why,  then,  O  Christians — why  should  you  despond  ? 
Christ  is  praying  for  you  to  the  Father.    He,  the  Lamb 


THIRD    SERMON.  3OI 

of  God,  Who  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  has 
He  forgotten  you  ?  Detach  your  hearts  from  earthly 
goods  and  pleasures,  for,  believe  me,  what  darkens 
the  dying  moments  of  so  many  Christians  is  an  undue 
attachment  to  them.  If  a  person,  during  the  course  of  a 
long  life,  has  set  his  heart  upon  the  riches  of  this  world 
and  labored  to  amass  its  treasures,  how  grieved  will 
he  not  be,  at  the  hour  of  death,  to  feel  that  they  are 
slowly  but  surely  slipping  from  his  grasp ! 

Oh,  then,  "die  daily"  to  the  world  !  Seek  first  the 
Kingdom  of  heaven,  and  you  may  indeed  cry  out:  "  O 
death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?  '* 

*'  This  day  thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  Paradise.*'  These 
consoling  words  were  spoken  by  Christ  upon  the  cross. 
Oh,  what  a  flood  of  light  they  pour  upon  the  obscure 
night  of  the  departing  soul !  The  thought — ''  I  leave  the 
delights  and  treasures  of  the  world ;  but  what  are  they 
in  comparison  to  those  which  await  me  in  heaven?" — 
inspires  the  heart  with  the  wish  to  possess  the  goods 
of  the  Lord  in  the  country  of  the  living,  and  to  enjoy 
that  bliss  of  which  St.  Paul  affirms:  ''Eye  hath  not 
seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath  it  entered  the  heart 
of  man  what  God  has  prepared  for  those  who  love 
Him." 

What  throws  a  shadow  of  gloom  over  the  dying 
hour  is  the  grief  the  sufferer  feels  at  leaving  behind 
the  friends  he  sees  weeping  around  his  bed.  This  is 
a  feeling  from  which  even  pious  souls  are  not  exempt. 
But,  Christians,  be  consoled ;  Jesus  from  the  cross 
cried  out:   "Woman,  behold  thy  son!     Son,  behold 


302  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

thy  Mother  !  "  If  you  have  honored  Mary,  like  a  good 
child,  and  followed  her  holy  example,  then  will  she 
assist  you  in  your  last  moments,  even  though  father, 
mother,  sisters,  and  brothers  should  forsake  you. 

Oh,  what  a  luminous  ray  of  celestial  light  is  con- 
tained in  the  thought :  ''  The  Holy  Virgin  will  be  with 
me  ;  St.  Joseph,  the  Archangel  St.  Michael,  and  all 
the  saints  whom  I  have  begged  to  obtain  for  me  a 
happy  death,  will  surround  me ;  my  guardian  angel 
will  defend  me  from  the  spirits  of  evil,  and  strengthen 
me  to  resist  their  attacks." 

It  is  true  that  I  must  leave  those  who  are  dear  to 
me,  but  I  will  be  welcomed  by  those  of  my  friends 
who  await  me  in  heaven.  Oh,  what  joy  to  be  forever 
united  with  them  in  a  home  where  neither  death  nor 
sorrow  can  enter! 

'*  My  God !  my  God !  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?  '* 
Thus  did  Christ  pray  in  accordance  with  the  psalm 
which  predicted  His  sufferings.  The  pious  child  of 
the  Church  need  never  complain  that  God  has  for- 
saken him.  Christ  comes  to  him  in  the  viaticum,  to 
strengthen  his  soul  in  the  supreme  moment  of  his  last 
agony. 

My  friends,  it  is  hard  to  die.  Death  is  a  punishment 
of  original  sin.  But  how  encouraging  the  thought : 
"It  is  the  act,  the  most  precious  act,  by  which  I  give 
back  my  life  to  Him  Who  bestowed  it,  if  I  so  overcome 
myself  that  I  resign  myself  willingly  to  His  divine  de- 
cree and  unite  my  will  so  entirely  to  His  as  to  desire 
this  very  death,  in  this  very  place,  and  in  this  very 


THIRD    SERMON.  303 

manner,  and  all  because  my  loving  Saviour  wished 
it  so." 

If,  beloved  in  Christ,  you  can  meet  death  with  such 
entire  resignation,  the  flames  of  Purgatory  will  be  ex- 
tinguished for  you,  and  your  Lord  and  Judge  will  bid 
you  enter  at  once  into  the  joys  of  His  heavenly  home. 

*'I  thirst!"  This  plaintive  cry  deeply  affected  the 
Blessed  Virgin  and  St.  John.  Happy  the  Christian 
who  has  lived  only  for  Jesus.  At  the  hour  of  death 
his  heart  will  be  filled  with  the  desire  of  the  Apostle 
.*' who  longed  to  be  dissolved  and  to  be  with  Christ ; " 
and  this  the  more  because  death  takes  from  us  the 
possibility  of  ever  again  committing  sin. 

*'It  is  consummated."  What  a  sweet  assurance  of 
rest  and  peace  is  contained  herein  !  The  burning  love 
from  the  heart  of  the  dying  Saviour  illumines  the  words 
with  the  brightest  rays  of  consolation  and  hope.  "It 
is  consummated."  The  life  of  toil  and  sacrifice  of  three 
and  thirty  years  is  over ;  the  cruel  scourging,  the  sharp 
pain  of  the, stinging  thorns,  the  anguish  of  the  cruci- 
fixion, are  over :  *'  Father,  into  Thy  hands  I  commend 
my  spirit."  O  blessed  eve  which  heralds  the  dawn  of 
eternal  glory!  What  a  consoling  ray  of  divine  hope, 
not  only  for  the  Saviour,  but  for  the  Christian  about  to 
leave  this  world,  if  he  too  has  been  faithful  unto  death  I 
How  trifling  will  then  be  all  the  labors,  toils,  and  mor- 
tifications he  endured  for  the  love  of  God,  and  how 
sweet  the  thought  of  the  consequent  bliss  which  awaits 
his  soul! 

Let  us  so  regulate  our  lives  that  we  may  taste  this 


304  FEAST  OF  GOOD  FRIDAY. 

sweetness  not  only  at  the  close  of  life,  but  at  the  close 
of  the  day  when  we  sink  into  sleep,  '*the  image  of 
death."  "  It  is  consummated."  *'  Father,  into  Thy 
hands  I  commend  my  spirit."  One  glance  at  the  cru- 
cified Jesus  is  sufficient  to  inspire  the  heart  with  the 
certain  hope  that  sustained  St.  Francis  Xavier  in  his 
last  moments,  as  he  pressed  His  image  to  his  lips : 
''O  my  crucified  Love,  I  have  trusted  in  Thee  and 
will  never  be  confounded." 

Dearest  Jesus,  so  dispose  our  hearts  in  life  that  at 
the  last  dread  hour  You  may  appear  to  us  as  the  glo- 
rious Sun  of  justice,  to  brighten  with  these  sevenfold 
rays  the  gathering  gloom  which  fain  would  darken  our 
passage  into  eternity. — Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

"And  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  Mary  Magdalen  cometh  early,  when 
it  was  yet  dark,  unto  the  sepulcher." — ^John  xx,  i. 

ALLELUIA!    Once   more    we   greet   the  joyous 
Easter-day,    the   glorious    festival,   the  feast  of 
feasts ! 

Alleluia  !  the  lofty  note  of  triumph  resounds  through- 
out high  heaven  to  salute  the  Lamb  of  God,  the  mighty 
Conqueror,  while  earth  takes  up  the  glad  refrain,  and 
Alleluia  wakes  happy,  holy  thoughts  in  Christian  souls, 
absorbed  in  fervent  homage  in  many  a  temple  wherein 
is  celebrated  this  great  festival  with  all  the  splendor 
of  our  Holy  Church. 

And  yet,  alas  !  to  how  many  it  brings  no  real  heart- 
felt joy ! 

How  many,  who  call  themselves  Christians,  unite  in 
a  merely  external  manner  in  the  celebration  of  to-day ! 
To  outward  seeming  they  rejoice  ;  but  only  a  super- 
ficial joy  is  theirs. 

To  them  the  spiritual  delight,  the  real  happiness — in 

a  word,  the  Alleluia  of  the  Paschal  time — brings  no 

deep  meaning  ;  while  to  those  who  have,  from  spiritual 

death,  risen  to  the  life  of  grace,  and  then,  with  zealous 

earnestness,  continue  their  efforts  to  attain  perfection, 

(305) 


306  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

this  feast  will  prove  a  happy  day  indeed.  The  joy  of 
Easter  will  penetrate  the  very  marrow  of  the  soul. 

So  it  was  with  Mary  Magdalen,  and  so,  too,  it  will 
be  with  every  Christian  who,  like  that  great  saint,  and 
also  like  Mary  the  Immaculate  Mother  of  Christ,  is  sin- 
cerely disposed  for  a  proper  participation  in  the  joy  of 
Easter. 

Afid  to-day,  my  brethren,  I  will  explain  to  you  in 
what  this  special  preparation  for  it  consists ;  so  that  to 
each  and,  every  one  of  you  it  may  be  given  to  feel  the 
delight  of  Mary  Magdalen,  when  she  beheld  her  risen 
Lord. 

0  Mary,  thrice  happy  Mother  of  Jesus,  may  we  par- 
ticipate in  the  joy  felt  by  Magdalen  on  that  Easter- 
morn  !  May  a  faint  reflex  of  your  sentiments,  as  you 
embraced  your  beloved  Son  and  Lord,  arisen  from  the 
dead,  fall  upon  our  hearts  to-day ! 

1  speak  in  the  name  of  the  newly-risen  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


Dear  brethren,  let  us  dwell  for  a  few  moments  upon 
the  scene ! 

The  Redeemer,  Master  of  life  and  death,  had  scarce- 
ly burst  the  bonds  of  His  prison-house,  when  count- 
less souls,  ransomed  by  His  infinite  mercy  from  Limbo, 
hovered  over  His  sepulcher.  Myriads  of  angels  too 
were  there,  bowing  in  homage  before  their  King.  The 
rosy  dawn  dispelled  the  lingering  shades  of  night 
which  had  hung  like  a  pall  over  Jerusalem,  and  re- 


FIRST    SERMON.  3O7 

vealed  the  uncertain  steps  of  one  whose  attitude  of 
deep  dejection  betrayed  her  grief.  It  was  Mary 
Magdalen, 

She  approaches  the  tomb.  It  is  empty,  and  now 
a  new  anxiety  weighs  upon  her  ;  when  suddenly  Christ 
stands  before  her,  not  as  she  had  known  Him  in  hfe, 
but  in  the  dress  of  a  gardener.  Not  recognizing  Him 
she  asks :  '*  If  thou  hast  taken  Him  hence,  tell  me 
where  thou  hast  laid  Him  and  I  will  take  Him  away." 
Now  the  Lord  calls  her  by  name:  ''Mary''  and  she 
feels  that  it  is  the  voice  of  Jesus,  the  voice  which  ut- 
tered the  consoling  words:  '*Thy  sins  are  forgiven 
thee."  It  was  a  voice  she  could  not  fail-to  know.  She 
looks  up  at  Him;  she  recognizes  Him;  she  falls  pros- 
trate at  His  feet.  "Jesus,  Master,  you  live!  Alle- 
luia ! "  Heavenly  joy  thrills  her  heart  as  she  hastens 
to  the  disciples  with  the  glad  tidings  that  Jesus  lived, 
and  had  appeared  to  her. 

Each  child  of  the  Church  should  share  the  joy  of 
Magdalen,  the  penitent  and  forgiven.  And  if  in  it  he 
has  no  part,  where  can  be  found  the  cause  ?  I  answer : 
Something  is  wanting  in  the  preparation  of  the  heart. 
Look  at  Mary  Magdalen,  and  learn  from  her.  She  re- 
joiced, because  her's  was  a  soul  purified  by  sorrow 
and  tears  of  repentance.  In  her  we  behold  the  Mag- 
dalen, who,  sinking  beneath  the  burden  of  her  contri- 
tion, gave  vent  to  her  feelings  at  the  feet  of  Jesus. 

Christian  !  if  you  feel  not  the  joyous  influence  of  the 
Paschal  time,  is  it  not  that  you  are,  as  yet,  unrecon- 
ciled with  your  risen  Lord  ?  that  your  soul  is  marred 


308  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

with  the  disfiguring  stain  of  mortal  sin  ?  For  others 
the  Easter  jubilee ;  for  you  the  mournful  memories  of 
Good  Friday !  For,  alas !  you  have  crucified  your 
Saviour  in  your  heart.  Let  me  beg  that  you  will  not 
refuse  to  unite  with  those  fervent  souls  whose  Alle- 
luia resounds  throughout  the  earth,  but  that,  by  fer- 
vent prayer,  you  will  obtain  the  grace  of  contrition, 
and,  having  '*  arisen  with  Christ,"  by  a  worthy  con- 
fession you  may  rejoice  with  His  faithful  followers. 

And  you,  lukewarm  and  indifferent  Christian,  what 
sentiments  does  this  glorious  day  awaken  within  your 
heart  ?  Alas !  it  is  cold ;  the  Alleluia  finds  no  respon- 
sive echo  there.  And  what  wonder?  You  may  not 
indeed  have  crucified  your  Saviour  by  mortal  sin ;  but 
the  many  venial  faults  which  sully  the  purity  of  your 
soul,  drive  Him  from  you,  and  sorrowfully  He  stands 
afar  off. 

Mary  Magdalen  knelt  at  His  feet.  It  was  her  dear- 
est joy  to  be  near  her  Lord,  but  that  privilege  was 
never  hers,  until  by  tears  of  sorrow  she  had  cleansed 
her  soul  from  the  slightest  stain  of  sin.  She  was  a 
penitent  soul.  Imitate  her  example,  purify  your  soul 
from  its  sins  and  faults,  and  then,  with  the  illustrious 
penitent,  can  you  truly  welcome  your  risen  Lord. 

Secondly. — Mary  Magdalen  had  disposed  her  heart 
for  the  celebration  of  Easter  by  meditation.  She  was 
a  contemplative  soul.  Absorbed  in  adoration  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus,  she  listened  to  the  words  of  divine  wis- 
dom which  issued  from  His  lips,  and,  according  to 
Christ  Himself,  she  **  chose  the  better  part.'* 


FIRST    SERMON.  3O9 

But  how  many  Christians,  celebrating  Easter  exteri- 
orly, do  not  meditate,  and  hence  a  cold  and  lifeless 
faith  is  theirs,  causing  them  to  listen  with  indifference 
when  the  most  sublime  truths  of  religion  are  pre- 
sented for  their  instruction.  Nay,  even  the  good  and 
pious  are  not  free  from  censure  in  this  regard.  They 
believe,  they  pray,  but  they  do  not  meditate ;  and 
even  by  them  the  solemn  mysteries  of  our  redemp- 
tion are  not  celebrated  according  to  the  spirit  of  our 
Holy  Mother  Church.  Her  wish  and  desire  is  that  we 
may  endeavor  to  bring  the  truths  of  holy  faith  before 
our  mental  vision,  in  as  vivid  a  manner  as  though  we 
had  lived  at  the  time  those  wonderful  scenes  in  the 
great  work  of  our  redemption  took  place,  and  had 
witnessed  them  in  the  very  order  in  which  they  trans- 
pired. Then  we  will  begin  to  realize  the  reward 
which  in  an  eternity  of  bliss  awaits  the  purified  soul 
and  feel  the  sweetness  of  its  Alleluia  on  earth. 

Thirdly. — Mary  Magdalen's  heart  was  prepared  by 
works  of  self-denial .  She  was  a  mortified  soul,  and 
how  could  it  have  been  otherwise  with  her  ?  Was  she 
not  the  same  to  whom  was  given  the  grace  to  behold, 
with  her  own  eyes,  the  dreadful  spectacle  of  a  lacer- 
ated, scourged,  nay,  even  of  a  crucified  and  dying 
Saviour?  Was  she  not  the  same  devoted  lover  of 
Jesus  upon  whom,  as  she  knelt  beneath  the  cross.  His 
tears  and  blood  fell  down  ?  And  her  entire  subsequent 
life,  when  she  dwelt  in  solitude  in  the  little  hermitage 
in  Gaul,  was  spent  in  acts  of  penance,  although,  from 


3IO  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

the  Redeemer  Himself,  she  had  heard  the  blessed 
words:  ''  Thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee  !  " 

And  you,  Christians,  if  your  hearts  are  not  enton- 
ing  the  Alleluia  to-day  with  her  exultation,  why  is  it? 
Because  you  do  not  love  the  cross,  and  strive  to  es- 
cape from  the  observance  of  the  holy  season,  which 
this  day  terminates.  Immediately  preceding  the  fes- 
tivity of  Easter,  the  Church,  during  the  days  set  apart 
for  penance,  strives  to  instill  into  the  hearts  of  her 
children  that  penitential  spirit,  which  will  impel  them 
to  take  up  the  cross  and  follow  their  suffering  Re- 
deemer to  Calvary.  Have  you  spent  the  holy  season 
according  to  that  spirit?  Then,  indeed,  you  may  re- 
joice with  Mary  Magdalen  to-day.  But,  if  not,  al- 
though the  grandeur  of  the  ceremonies  which  are  dis- 
played before  you  can  not  fail  to  produce  an  impres- 
sion and  excite  some  joy,  it  will  be  but  a  transitory 
impression  and  a  superficial  joy,  in  which  the  Alle- 
luia has  no  part. 

Fourthly.^ — Mary  Magdalen,  in  her  longing  after  the 
divine  word  gave  up  every  thing,  and  followed  her 
Saviour  in  His  apostolic  missions.  Trampling  under 
foot  the  opinion  of  the  world,  and  casting  aside  the 
promptings  of  human  respect,  in  the  presence  of  Him 
she  found  her  greatest  happiness.  Such  sentiments 
animated  her,  when,  at  the  banquet  given  by  the 
haughty  Pharisee,  she  knelt  publicly  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus.  With  such  feelings  she  sought  Him  on  Good  Fri- 
day, prostrating  herself  before  Him  ;  and  so  also  on  the 
Easter-morn  did  she  seek  for,  and  find  her  risen  Lord. 


FIRST    SERMON.  3II 

Child  of  the  one  true  Church,  do  you  wish  to  rejoice 
with  Mary  Magdalen?  Then  with  her  resolve  to  fol- 
low your  Lord,  and  for  this  end  seek  Him  with  never- 
flagging  earnestness  ;  and,  having  found  Him,  contem- 
plate in  Him  the  adorable  model,  by  imitating  which 
you  will  one  day  behold  Him  face  to  face. 

Souls  who  are  satisfied  to  lead  an  ordinary  Chris- 
tian life,  who  do  not  hunger  and  thirst  after  perfection, 
who  lead  not  an  interior  life,  do  not  participate  in  the 
joy  of  this  great  penitent,  and  alas!  they  will  never 
understand  it. 

In  conclusion,  the  soul  of  Mary  Magdalen  was  a 
grateful  and  loving  soul  towards  Jesus.  She  recog- 
nized Him  on  that  Easter-morn  by  His  voice;  and  as 
He  spoke  her  name,  ''Mary/''  the  thought  of  the 
countless  favors  she  had  received  at  His  sacred  hands 
rushed  swiftly  over  her.  Her  heart  overflowed  with  its 
burden  of  gratitude  ;  and  oh !  she  felt  how  sweet  it 
would  be  to  cancel  that  debt  by  the  perfect  love  with 
which  she  would  regard  h^r  Saviour  during  an  eter- 
nity of  purest  bliss.  Then,  indeed,  could  she  worthily 
celebrate  the  feast  of  feasts  ! — the  glorious  Easter  jub- 
ilee in  heaven ! 

Mary's  love  was  sincere,  magnanimous,  self-sacrific- 
ing, and  constant.  Of  this  Christ  Himself  has  given 
testimony:  **  Ske  hath  loved  much  ^  This  mighty  love 
not  only  gained  for  her  an  unconditional  pardon  of  her 
former  sins,  but  it  became  the  source  of  numberless 
graces  for  her  future  life. 

And  the  same  is  promised  to  every  member  of  the 


312  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

one  true  Church,  whose  love  for  Jesus  is  sincere,  mag- 
nanimous, self-sacrificing,  and  constant,  like  that  of 
Mary  Magdalen. 

The  recurrence  of  Easter,  my  brethren,  should  in- 
crease every  year  our  confidence  in  divine  Providence, 
and  remind  us  of  the  unwearied  solicitude  with  which 
God  has,  from  our  very  infancy  up  to  the  present  mo- 
ment, watched  over  us,  guided  our  footsteps  through 
the  dangers  which  encompass  us,  and  through  His 
Holy  Spirit  is  ever  whispering  to  us  to  renounce  our 
sins,  to  ''  love  much,"  that  He  may  *'  forgive  us  much." 
If  we  listen  to  that  whisper  we  will  indeed  *' arise  with 
Christ;  "  we  will  participate  to  the  utmost  in  the  true 
spiritual  jubilee  of  this  blessed  day. 

Thus,  my  brethren,  let  your  preparation  for  Easter 
be  according  to  the  disposition  of  St.  Magdalen  ;  and 
you  will  celebrate  with  Magdalen,  in  the  spirit  of  the 
Church,  Easter  on  earth,  and  soon,  with  Magdalen  also, 
Easter  in  heaven  forever. — Amen! 


SECOND    SERMON.  313 

SECOND  SERMON 

"And  the  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved  came  to  the  sepulcher." — John  xx. 

AS  often  as  the  Church,  in  commemoration  of  the 
glorious  Resurrection,  celebrates  the  yearly  re- 
currence of  the  Paschal  time,  and  entones  the  joyous 
Alleluia  with  her  children,  so  often  do  we  recall  to 
mind  those  privileged  souls  who,  the  Gospel  tells  us, 
had  the  happiness  of  hearing  the  glad  tidings :  ''  Jesus, 
lives;  He  has  arisen,"  of  listening  to,  of  beholding 
the  risen  Jesus.  This  privilege  was  not  limited  to  one 
or  two ;  but  was  enjoyed  by  a  number  of  the  disciples, 
who  believed  and  hoped  in  the  Lord.  Often,  too,  we 
go  in  spirit  to  the  sepulcher  with  the  holy  women  who 
went  thither  bearing  ointments,  and  think  of  that  bliss 
which  filled  their  hearts  when,  from  the  angel  of  the 
Lord,  they  heard  the  welcome  words  :  "  He  is  arisen." 
We  think  of  Mary  Magdalen,  whose  joy  found  utter- 
ance in  the  single  word,  as  she  knelt  before  her  Lord, 
''Rabboniy 

We  behold  the  wondering  Apostles,  when,  on  the 
evening  of  the  same  day,  as  they  were  assembled 
together  "with  closed  doors,"  their  Master  stood  be- 
fore them  and  pronounced  the  blessed  words:  ''Pax 
vobis'' — "  Peace  be  unto  you." 

But  there  is  one  Apostle,  St.  John,  upon  whom  our 
attention  should  be  particularly  centered,  that  we  may 
attain  a  better  understanding  of  the  state  in  which  the 
Christian  must  be  before  the  real  joy  of  Easter  can 


314  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY.  . 

illumine  his  soul.  We  have  seen  him  at  the  Last  Sup- 
per ;  we  have  beheld  him  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and 
let  us  hope  that  we  may  have  shared,  to  some  extent, 
in  the  love  which  filled  his  heart  at  those  solemn  times. 
Let  me,  brethren,  to-day  present,  for  your  contempla- 
tion, St.  John,  the  disciple  of  love.  Let  us  glance  at  him 
as  he  stands  by  the  sepulcher  of  the  Risen  One,  and  en- 
deavor to  picture  the  joy  which  overflowed  his  heart  as 
he  beheld  the  Lord, 

0  Mary,  Mother  most  joyful,  infuse  into  our  hearts 
that  bliss  which  filled  your  own  upon  that  first  happy 
Easter-morn,  that  we,  like  St.  John,  may  experience 
its  most  wonderful  effects  for  the  salvation  of  our 
souls ! 

1  speak  in  the  name  of  the  newly-risen  Jesus,  for 
the  greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


"He  is  risen ;  we  have  heard  it  even  from  the  an- 
gels !  *'  said  the  holy  women,  as  they  returned  from 
the  sepulcher.  And  as  the  Apostles  heard  the  won- 
drous tale,  two  of  their  number  immediately  arose  and 
hastened  away;  but  the  '*  dearly  beloved  Apostle," 
St.  John,  in  the  fervor  of  his  love,  left  St.  Peter  far 
behind,  and,  arriving  first  at  the  sepulcher,  found  the 
stone  rolled  away.  St.  Peter,  however,  was  the  first 
to  enter  the  empty  tomb.  In  him,  therefore,  is  illus- 
trated the  Apostle  oi  faith,  while  St.  John  typifies  the 
disciple  of  love.  In  the  divine  economy,  every  thing 
is  full  of  a  deep,  mysterious  meaning,  and  herein  we 


SECOND    SERMON.  315 

learn  that  faith  must  first  penetrate  the  soul  before 
the  flame  of  divine  love  is  enkindled  in  the  heart. 
John  followed  Peter,  and,  as  he  placed  his  hand  upon 
the  winding-sheet,  which,  but  the  evening  before  he 
had  wrapped  about  the  sacred  body  of  his  Lord,  a 
flood  of  joy  rushed  over  his  soul,  and  filled  his  heart 
with  happiness,  as  he  felt  that  Jesus  had  indeed  arisen, 
that  Jesus  lived. 

We  will  to-day  consider  the  character  of  his  holy 
Easter  joy,  and  endeavor  to  understand  how  mighty 
and  sanctifying  it  was  rendered  by  the  excessive  ardor 
of  his  love  for  Christ.  To  clearly  realize  the  intense 
joy  of  this  saintly  disciple,  we  must  recall  the  feelings 
which  agitated  his  heart  while,  for  love  of  the  crucified 
One,  he  stood  beneath  the  cross,  and  think  of  those 
words  of  Holy  Scripture  :  ''According  to  the  greatness 
of  my  sorrows  your  consolations  gladdened  my  soul." 
St.  John  stood  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  wholly  absorbed 
in  compassion,  adoration,  gratitude,  and  resolution,  ac- 
cording to  the  will  of  God,  to  follow  Jesus  unto  death, 
through  love ;  and,  therefore,  the  Alleluia  of  the  Easter 
joy,  in  which  his  heart  rejoiced  at  the  tomb  of  the 
arisen  Jesus,  was  a  participation  in  the  sentiments  of 
adoration,  thanksgiving,  and  determination  to  be  faith- 
ful to  his  calling  as  Apostle  in  proportion  to  his  love 
for  Christ. 

The  one  who  loves,  so  rejoices  at  the  happiness  of 
the  beloved  object  that  it  would  seem  as  if  he  were 
happier  to  see  the  joy  of  his  friend  than  to  feel  his  own. 
For  example,  what  joy  is  experienced  by  a  mother 


3l6  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

whose  child  has  met  with  some  great  good  or  benefit, 
or  has  been  unexpectedly  saved  from  some  impending 
danger!  But  of  true  friendship  Holy  Writ  testifies 
that  it  is  stronger  than  all  other  love — witness  that  of 
David  and  Jonathan. 

But  incomparably  more  tender  was  the  friendship 
of  St.  John  for  his  Saviour,  and  in  the  same  measure 
his  heart  rejoiced  at  the  certainty  that  He  had  burst 
the  bonds  of  the  grave  and  lived  once  more.  This  joy 
must  have  stirred  his  heart  to  its  very  depths,  and 
moved  him,  in  a  much  greater  degree,  than  it  affected 
St.  Peter  and  the  other  Apostles,  because  he  had 
beheld  his  Saviour  in  agony  upon  the  cross,  in  suffer- 
ing and  in  death.  His  loving  heart  was  more  sensitive 
than  theirs. 

The  Alleluia  of  his  Easter  joy  was  the  outburts  of 
his  overflowing  friendship.  It  was,  at  the  same  time, 
one  of  adoration  and  thanksgiving  for  the  consum- 
mation of  the  Redemption.  Until  that  time  the  life 
and  labors  of  the  Lord  had  been,  as  it  were,  veiled  in 
the  obscurity  of  a  mystical  darkness ;  but  by  the  Alle- 
luia which  came  forth  from  the  heart  of  Jesus  as  He 
rose  from  the  tomb,  all  radiant  with  celestial  light,  this 
vail  was  rent,  and  that  Easter  morn  forever  dispersed 
the  gloom.  St.  John,  as  he  stood  by  the  grave  of  the 
risen  Jesus,  realized  more  clearly  than  ever  the  whole 
order  of  salvation;  and  what  an  ''Exultet"  arose  in 
his  heart  as  he  entoned  it,  in  the  same  sense  in  which 
it  is  sung  by  the  Church  on  Holy  Saturday,  to  an- 
nounce the  joyful  truth  that  Christ  had  risen.    As  often 


SECOND    SERMON.  317 

as  we  hear  it,  our  souls  are  filled  with  the  joy  of  this 
holy  Easter  day.  St.  John  entoned  it  at  the  sepulcher, 
in  the  name  of  the  whole  human  family.  Even  as  the 
Church  sends  forth  her  most  joyful  chants,,  so  sang 
his  heart,  overflowing  with  the  joy  of  that  Easter  day  : 
'*  O  Ineffable  Miracle  of  Grace  !  to  forgive  Thy  servant 
his  sins,  Thou  hast  delivered  up  Thy  Son.  !  '* 

''  Of  what  avail  had  it  been  for  us  to  be  born  into  the 
world  had  we  not  received  the  grace  of  redemption? 

0  happy  fault  which  gave  us  such  a  Deliverer!" 

St.  John  also  thanked  God,  as  he  had  never  done  be- 
fore, for  the  grace  of  the  election  which,  in  the  kingdom 
of  Christ,  became  his  portion,  recognizing  more  clearly 
than  ever  the  privileges  which  he  enjoyed  before  all 
men,  even  the  Apostles,  especially  that  one  which  gave 
him  the  care  of  Mary,  the  Immaculate  Virgin,  the 
Queen  of  heaven,  the  Mother  of  his  Lord.  How  he 
rejoiced  that  he  would  have  her  example  and  her 
prayers!  for  it  would  be  her  duty  to  care  for  her 
adopted  son  as  became  a  tender  and  loving  mother. 
Well  may  St.  Paul  exclaim  :  *'  I  chastise  my  body  that 

1  may  not  become  a  castaway."  No  marvel  was  it 
that  St.  Peter  trembled  when  he  thought  upon  the 
judgment  which  would  come  after  death ;  but  St.  John, 
the  adopted  son  of  Mary,  was,  through  her,  assured 
of  his  eternal  salvation.  And  in  relation  to  the  du- 
ties of  his  apostleship  in  general,  as  he  stood  by  the 
Saviour's  tomb,  how  greatly  encouraged  he  felt! — how 
firmly  he  resolved  to  be  a  fruitful  branch  in  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord ! 


3l8  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

What  invigorates  the  soul  in  its  apostolic  calling  is 
the  strengthening  power  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity, 
united  with  an  earnest  love  of  our  neio^hbor. 

These  were  precisely  the  sentiments  which  prevailed 
in  the  heart  of  St.  John  as  he  burst  forth  in  that  glo- 
rious Alleluia  by  the  grave  of  Christ. 

The  certainty  of  the  Resurrection,  as  St.  Paul 
affirms,  is  a  pledge  of  the  whole  treasure  oi  faith.  ''  If 
Christ  had  not  risen  again,  as  He  said,"  writes  the 
Apostle  of  the  nations,  "we  would  have  been  miser- 
ably deceived  and  disappointed  and  left  without  a 
name."  But  He  did  arise,  and  we  possess  our  holy  faith 
with  its  promises  for  time  and  eternity.  We  also  shall 
arise  and  live  with  Him  forever.  But  St.  Paul  was  not 
at  the  sepulcher ;  he  did  not  touch  the  sacred  body  of 
Christ,  but  the  beloved  disciple  did.  With  what  strong 
testimony  for  the  truth  of  the  Resurrection,  therefore, 
could  John  announce  the  Gospel  with  the  assertion 
that  he  had  lived  with  the  Redeemer  on  the  most  in- 
timate terms  of  holy  union  ;  that  he  beheld  Him  when 
He  breathed  forth  His  last  sigh  upon  the  cross;  and 
looked  upon  Him  after  He  had  risen  from  the  dead. 
The  sentiments  of  his  heart  were  that  of  triumphant 
faith. 

What  invigorates  a  soul  in  the  exercise  of  its  apos- 
tolic calling  is  victorious  hope.  *'  The  Lord,  who  calls 
me  to  this  office,  is  also  my  strength,  and  will,  at  some 
future  day,  be  my  reward."  Who  experienced  this  in 
a  higher  degree  than  St.  John?  To  whom  was  more 
fully  and  more  bountifully  given  the  vivifying  power 


SECOND    SERMON.  319 

of  Christian  hope  than  to  him  who  was  permitted,  while 
still  on  earth,  to  pierce  the  golden  vista  of  the  celestial 
vault,  and  gaze  upon  the  mysteries  of  heaven  ? 

Finally,  what  urges  the  true  Apostle  on  in  his  holy 
mission  more  than  any  other  thing  is  love — the  love  of 
God  and  man.  In  these  respects,  St.  John  was,  as  you 
know,  eminently  called  the  disciple  of  love.  His  very 
Epistles,  contained  in  Holy  Writ,  stand,  and  will  re- 
main forever,  undying  testimonials  of  this  his  apostolic 
love. 

This,  dearly  beloved  in  Christ,  is  the  character  of 
the  Easter-day  of  St.  John  and  of  his  Easter  Alleluia; 
and  these  the  conditions,  to  feel  it  re-echoed  in  our 
own  hearts. — Amen! 


320  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

**In  Thy  light  we  shall  see  light." — Ps.  xxxv. 

THE  glorious  orb  of  day  was  still  invisible  to  the 
expectant  world  in  the  early  Easter-morn,  when 
the  earth  trembled  as  if  moved  by  some  terrible  con- 
vulsion of  nature  and  an  angel  of  the  choir  of  the 
Powers,  radiant  and  beaiitiful,  hovered  above  the  sep- 
ulcher  wherein  lay  the  Body  of  Christ,  and  de- 
scending rolled  the  stone  away.  Instantaneously  the 
glorified  soul  approached,  the  Sacred  Body  was  trans- 
figured, and  the  Lord  arose,  body  and  soul,  more 
brilliant  than  the  sun,  which  now  burst  forth  in  all  its 
splendor  to  pay  fitting  tribute  to  Him  Who  gave  it 
light — Who  came  forth  the  Victor  of  all  the  powers  of 
evil,  the  Conqueror  of  death  and  hell.  Then  were  seen 
the  millions  of  holy  souls  who,  for  four  thousand  years, 
had  languished  in  the  gloomy  prison  of  Limbo,  full  of 
trust  in  the  Lord,  and  waited  until  *' patience  had  her 
perfect  work." 

Adam  and  Eve,  the  venerable  patriarchs  and  proph- 
ets, St.  Joseph,  St.  John  the  Baptist,  with  legions  of 
holy  angels,  surround  the  Redeemer,  the  Sun  of  jus- 
tice, the  Lord  Who  had  risen  in  all  the  grandeur  of 
His  Majesty.  Yet  a  little  while  and  He  will  ascend 
from  the  Mount  of  Olives,  penetrate  the  heavens,  and 
take  His  place  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father,  clothed 
with  the  glory  which  flows  from  His  divinity  to  His 
humanity,  and  send  throughout  high  heaven  celestial 


THIRD    SERMON.  32 1 

light  to  intensify  the  bliss  of  the  angels  and  saints 
therein.  In  other  words,  all  that  which  causes  heaven 
to  be  heaven,  will  be  imparted  in  its  full  extent  by 
Christ  to  all  the  blessed  therein. 

Let  us  to-day,  therefore,  look  up  to  Him  as  the  Sun 
in  the  kingdom  of  eternal  beatitude.  Let  us  picture  to 
ourselves  the  heavens  opening  to  our  wondering  view, 
while  strains  of  sweetest  music  fall  on  our  raptured 
ear.    It  is  the  angels  entoning  their  Easter  hymn. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  heaven,  enthroned  at  the  side 
of  thy  divine  Son,  pray  for  us  that  we  may  one  day 
see  Him  in  His  glory  and  share  in  His  beatification 
forever ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  Who  arose  from 
the  dead,  to  the  greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


What  causes  heaven  to  be  heaven  is,  first,  its  exter- 
nal  magnificence. 

When  God  created  the  visible  world,  the  angels  burst 
forth  in  praise,  as  Holy  Scripture  says  in  the  Book  of 
Job,  on  beholding  such  a  stream  of  divine  power  and 
wisdom  and  goodness.  Even  after  the  sin  of  our  first 
parents  it  still  presented  a  scene  of  beauty  and  grand- 
eur, and  it  does  so  still. 

What  a  wonderfully  majestic  spectacle  is  afforded  by 
the  **deep  and  dark  blue  ocean"  as  it  seems  blended 
with  the  brilliant  skies  which  it  reflects  in  its  depths ! 
What  a  glorious  radiance  is  cast  upon  the  changing 
waters  by  the  setting  sun  as  he  sinks  to  rest — as  he  gilds 


322  FEAST  OF  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

the  ever-tossing  waves  with  tints  of  the  most  gorgeous 
hue.  The  world  of  stars  which  sparkle  in  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night,  form  a  most  enchanting  sight ;  how 
then  would  it  be,  were  we  permitted  to  contemplate 
those  wonders  of  creation  through  that  lofty  arch  of 
the  heavens,  so  far  above  the  stars,  and  view  the  es- 
sence of  those  objects  of  which  we  now  only  behold 
the  exterior  appearance  ? 

But  as  a  diamond,  encircled  by  precious  stones, 
emits  rays  of  dazzling  light  from  the  center  of  a  dia- 
dem, so  does  the  glorified  humanity  of  Christ  shine 
forth  amid  the  angels  and  saints,  as  the  mystical  Sun, 
compared  to  which,  our  sun  is  naught  but  a  waning 
light.  In  this  glorious  radiance  of  the  humanity  of 
Christ,  the  Blessed  eternally  contemplate  the  crown 
of  the  creation,  especially  if  we  consider  its  transfig- 
uration at  the  end  of  time. 

As  God  the  Father  created  the  world  by  the  Son, 
so  do  we  contemplate  in  the  light  which  is  Christ,  the 
ideal  of  the  creation  as  it  was  conceived  by  the  eter- 
nal Father,  and  consider  it  so  in  all  its  relations  to  the 
creation  of  grace  through  the  same  Jesus  Christ. 

No  one  can  so  well  explain  the  beauty  of  a  work  as 
the  author  thereof.  Contemplative  soul,  look  up  to 
Christ,  Who  has  arisen, — and  rejoice  ;  soon  shalt  thou 
see  Him  in  His  glory. 

What  adds  to  the  happiness  of  heaven  is,  secondly, 
the  sight  of  the  glorified  world  of  spirits.  The  angels 
are  the  blossoms  of  the  creation.  The  doctors  of  the 
Church  with  St.  Bernardine  of  Sienna  affirm  that  God 


THIRD    SERMON.  323 

created  more  angels  than  visible  corporeal  beings  be- 
cause He  was  Himself  a  Spirit.  Those  beautiful  spir- 
its are  divided  into  nine  choirs,  each  one  higher  than 
the  other,  as  we  are  taught  to  believe  by  our  holy- 
faith,  viz :  Angels,  Archangels,  Principalities,  Thrones, 
Dominations,  Powers,  Virtues,  Cherubim,  and  Sera- 
phim. Each  choir  is  higher,  and  therefore  more  beau- 
tiful than  the  other.  We  will  one  day  behold  in  heaven 
the  reason  of  this,  but  some  of  it  we  are  already  per- 
mitted to  know. 

For  all  their  beatitude  and  glory,  the  'angels  are 
mediately  indebted  to  Jesus.  The  holy  Fathers  assert 
that  it  was  the  confession  and  adoration  of  the  Son 
of  God,  Who  was  to  become  man,  into  which  mystery 
God  permitted  them  to  glance,  which  confirmed  them 
forever  in  grace.  And  after  Christ  ascended  into  heaven 
the  angels  beheld,  according  to  their  ranks,  the  increase 
of  glory  which  they  were  to  receive  from  the  glorified 
King  of  that  celestial  realm.  This  increase  of  glory, 
conferred  separately  on  every  choir,  like  rays  of  light, 
is  centered  in  the  brilliant  humanity  of  Christ,  the  King 
of  ever)'  choir  of  them. 

It  is  somewhat  similar  to  the  choirs  of  the  Saints, 
which  are  different  too,  glorified  by  their  individual 
graces. 

In  heaven  we  will  one  day,  through  the  grace  of 
God,  behold  Adam  and  Eve,  the  Patriarchs,  the  Proph- 
ets, the  Holy  Innocents,  the  Virgins,  the  Confessors, 
the  Bishops,  the  Martyrs,  and  the  Apostles  of  Christ. 
Each   of  these   choirs   is   distinguished   by  a   partic- 


324  FEAST   OF    EASTER    SUNDAY. 

ular  degree  of  glory.  By  whatever  degrees  of  glory 
these  choirs  are  distinguished,  transfigured,  and  beati- 
fied, their  different  glories,  with  those  of  Mary  herself, 
the  Queen  of  the  Saints,  are  as  so  many  rays  which 
are  concentrated  in  Christ  as  the  Sun. 

What  adds  to  the  individual  bliss  enjoyed  by  the 
saints  of  God  in  heaven,  is  the  fact  that  it  is  a  reward 
conferred  upon  them  for  the  holy  lives  which,  in  imi- 
tation of  Christ,  they  led  upon  earth.  But,  as  the 
Church  at  the  Council  of  Trent  taught,  God  crowns 
only  the  gifts  of  His  grace  whose  Creator  is  Christ. 
The  rays  of  all  the  merits  of  the  saints  unite  therefore 
in  Him,  the  author  of  grace. 

What  causes  heaven  to  be  heaven  Is  the  united  en- 
joyment of  all  its  joys  through  Christ  our  Lord.  In 
that  blissful  home  all  will  be  united  in  love  with  Christ 
and  with  one  another,  as  He  is  one  with  the  Father 
and  the  Holy  Ghost.  Heaven  is  mine  ;  all  is  mine 
through  Jesus  Christ!  Such  will  one  day  be  the  out- 
burst of  joy  of  every  sanctified  soul. 

What  causes  heaven  to  be  heaven  Is  the  thought 
that  It  was  already  lost  to  us,  and  that  Christ,  the  Re- 
deemer, regained  and  re-opened  It  for  all.    Alleluia ! 

What  enhances  Its  bKss  since  Christ  ascended 
thither,  is  the  character  it  possesses  as  the  kingdom  of 
triumph.  Here,  too,  we  have  no  reason  to  envy  the 
angels,  for  upon  one  occasion  only  had  they  an  oppor- 
tunity of  acquiring  merit  through  Christ,  when  they 
confessed  and  adored  the  Son  of  God  made  man,  and 
were  thereby  confirmed  in  grace.    Although  they  are. 


THIRD    SERMON.  325 

as  St.  Paul  calls  them,  ministering  spirits,  they  but  ful- 
fill the  will  of  God  without  increasing  their  happiness 
or  merit.  This  is  not  the  case  with  us  children  of 
men.  Every  breath,  every  thought,  every  desire,  ev- 
ery work,  through  divine  grace,  may  be  an  occasion 
of  merit  for  us  to  increase  our  glory  in  heaven,  which 
is,  therefore,  for  us  also  the  kingdom  of  triumph.  Life 
is,  as  Holy  Writ  testifies,  a  warfare  against  the  ene- 
mies of  salvation  ;  but  Christ  conquered  them,  and  we 
can  do  likewise  through  Him.  We  know  not  what 
joys  of  heaven  would  have  awaited  us  if  we  had  never 
sinned ;  but  this  much  is  certain,  it  would  never  have  be- 
come what  it  is  now,  the  kingdom  oi  triumph,  which  char- 
acter elevates  its  joy  in  an  immeasurably  great  degree. 
In  conclusion,  beloved  in  Christ,  "  what  is  heaven  ?  *' 
Listen!  //  is  God,  ''I  myself''  says  the  Lord.  '*I 
am  your  infinite  reward."  Yes!  It  Is  the  beatific  vis- 
ion of  God,  an  Intimate  union  with  Him  who  is  all  de- 
light, beatitude,  and  love.  All  this  we  shall  possess 
through  Christ.  The  end  and  aim  of  the  creation  is  God 
Himself,  the  glorification  of  His  perfections  in  their 
exterior  relations.  We  distinguish,  in  this  regard.  His 
omniscience,  omnipotence,  wisdom,  mercy,  longanim- 
ity, justice,  truth,  majesty, — His  beauty,  beatitude,  and 
love.  But  all  these  divine  attributes  concentrate  their 
most  brilliant  radiance  In  the  work  of  Redemption, 
consummated  by  Christ.  So,  then,  it  Is  Christ  through 
Whom  we  are  permitted  to  contemplate  God  in  the 
triumph  of  His  perfections  In  heaven,  and  be  there 
inseparably  united  with  Him. 


326  FEAST  OP^  EASTER  SUNDAY. 

That  is  proved  by  His  prayer  as  High  Priest : 
''  Father,  I  pray  Thee,  let  them  be  one  with  Us,  as  We 
are  one  ; "  and  again  :  *'  No  one  knoweth  the  Father 
save  the  Son,  and  those  to  whom  the  Son  will  reveal 
Him."  This  is  verified  by  Christ  the  Sun,  in  the  king- 
dom of  light,  as  it  is  written:  "  In  Thy  light  we  will 
see  light." 

The  various  ways  in  which  God  so  wonderfully  con- 
ducts us  to  our  destiny,  in  conjunction  with  the  fate 
of  all,  will  then  decidedly  prove  that  it  is  Christ  to 
whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  possession  of  heaven. 
Therefore,  one  day,  the  tribute  of  praise  will  resound 
before  His  throne  in  heaven:  '*  Worthy  is  the  Lamb 
to  receive  divinity,  adoration,  gratitude  :  Who  has  re- 
deemed us  with  His  blood,  and  has  made  us  as  kings 
in  His  celestial  realm."  St.  John  asserts:  ''The  city 
of  God  needs  no  light,  for  Christ  is  her  light."  He, 
the  glorious  Sun  of  Redemption  and  Salvation. — 
Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  EASTER  MONDAY. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

'*  What  are  these  discourses  that  you  hold  one  with  another  as  yon  walk, 
and  are  sad  ?  " — Luke  xxiv. 

SAD  and  sorrowful,  as  the  Gospel  of  to-day  tells  us, 
the  disciples  went  to  Emmaus.  Their  converse 
turned  upon  what  had  happened  to  Jesus — His  suffer- 
ings and  death  upon  the  cross.  They  spoke  of  their 
grief,  although  some  of  the  Saviour's  friends  declared 
that  He  had  risen  and  was  alive,  and,  in  short,  they 
deserved  the  reproach  which  fell  from  the  divine  lips : 
*'  O  foolish  and  slow  of  belief!  why  are  you  so  sad  ?'* 
Confide  in  your  Redeemer,  who  said  that  on  the  third 
day  He  would  arise  from  death  to  life. 

In  a  short  time  they  recognized  Him  at  the  break- 
ing of  the  bread,  and  knew  that  He  had  indeed  arisen  ; 
and  their  hearts  were,  for  the  first  time,  filled  with  the 
plenitude  of  Easter  joy.  Then  they  hastened  to  Jeru- 
salem, to  tell  the  assembled  disciples ;  and,  behold, 

Note. — This  sermon  was  originally  written  in  German,  and  sent  to  Berlin. 
It  appeared  in  pamphlet  form,  under  the  title  :  **  The  Pharisees  of  Our  Times." 
We  here  give  but  an  abridgment  of  it.  Nevertheless,  as  an  exception,  it  ex- 
ceeds the  usual  brevity  of  the  other  sermons  contained  in  this  volume,  and 
may  serve  as  a  lecture  on  this  topic. 

(337) 


328  FEAST   OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

suddenly  Christ  Himself  stood  in  their  midst  with 
the  blessed  words  :  "  Peace  be  with  you." 

Now,  the  last  trace  of  sadness  disappears  from  their 
hearts,  and  glad  rejoicing  takes  its  place.  Their  be- 
loved Master — their  Saviour  and  Friend,  the  Lord  of 
heaven  and  earth — has  triumphed  over  death  and  hell, 
burst  the  bonds  of  His  prison-house,  and  come  to  dw*ell 
with  them  again. 

What  a  contrast  to  the  feelings  of  the  deicides,  when 
the  guards  of  the  sepulcher  returned  with  the  message : 
*' Jesus  has  arisen!" 

Dearly  beloved,  in  the  daily  walks  of  life,  we  meet 
with  those  faint-hearted  children  of  the  Church  who 
falter  and  well  nigh  lose  courage  when  they  hear  of, 
and  even  see,  the  violence  suffered  by  the  Bride  of 
Christ  in  our  day. 

But  to  all  such  I  would  say :  '*  Be  of  good  heart ; 
Jesus  is  alive  and  protects  His  Church.  But  let  her 
persecutors  tremble  ! ' ' 

0  Mary,  by  that  joy  which  filled  your  heart  on  that 
Easter-morn,  when  you  again  beheld  your  beloved  Son, 
pray  for  us,  that  we  may  have  courage  for  the  combat 
and  gain  the  victory ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


After  the  last  spark  of  life  had  fled,  the  sacred  body 
of  Christ  was  pierced  with  a  lance,  and  a  gaping  wound 
appeared ;  and  from  His  heart  came  blood  and  water — 


FIRST    SERMON.  329 

a  proof  that  He  was  indeed  dead.  The  scribes  and 
Pharisees,  and  all  the  enemies  of  the  Saviour,  rejoiced 
with  a  joy  exceedingly  great  at  the  sight  as  they  stood 
near  by. 

It  is  true  that  the  unprecedented  phenomena  suc- 
ceeding His  death  gave  rise  to  apprehension  and  con- 
sternation. The  darkening  of  the  sun  ;  the  trembling  of 
the  earth  beneath  their  feet ;  the  fearful  spectacle  which 
the  streets  of  Jerusalem  presented  as  the  dead  arose 
and  walked  the  streets  to  reproach  the  inhabitants  with 
the  crime  of  deicide ;  and  the  rending,  by  an  unseen 
power,  of  the  heavily-wrought  vail  of  the  temple  from 
the  top  to  the  very  bottom,  certainly  made  an  impression 
on  the  enemies  of  Christ;  but  they  derived  consolation 
from  the  thought  that  He  was  dead  and  could  trouble 
them  no  more.  Yet,  recalling  His  declaration,  that  in 
three  days  He  would  rise  again,  they  hastened  to 
Pilate;  and,  for  greater  security,  demanded  that  a 
guard  should  be  placed  round  the  sepulcher.  True, 
they  affected  to  disbelieve  the  assertion  of  the  Impos- 
tor, as  they  dared  to  style  Him,  but  shuddered  at  the 
mere  possibility  of  such  an  event  being  promulgated 
among  the  people,  lest,  hearing,  they  might  believe, 
'*  and  the  last  state  would  be  worse  than  the  first." 
And  so  a  guard  was  placed  round  the  holy  grave; 
and,  what  was  the  effect  ?  The  unwelcome  tidings 
were  announced,  by  the  very  soldiers  of  that  guard, 
which  served  only  to  strengthen  the  belief  of  all  who 
heard  them. 

The  hush  of  midnight  had  fallen  upon  the  world 


330  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

when,  from  the  Choir  of  the  Powers,  a  radiant  angel 
swiftly  descended  and' removed  the  stone  from  the 
Saviour's  grave.  The  earth  trembled ;  and  Christ,  en- 
compassed by  heavenly  light,  arose  from  death  to  life. 

In  terror  most  abject  the  guards  beheld  the  won- 
drous sight,  and  then  in  wild  affright  they  fled  to  tell 
that  Jesus  lived!  ''He  lives!  He  lives!"  ''Who?" 
"Jesus,  whom  you  crucified,  has  risen  from  the  dead! '' 
"  You  dream ;  you  rave ;  this  is  but  the  wild  fancy  of 
cL  fevered  brain!"  cried  out  the  Pharisees,  pale  with 
alarm. 

We  may  well  believe  that  they  made  every  attempt 
to  silence  the  guards ;  or,  tempting  them  with  glitter- 
ing gold,  induced  them  to  tell  some  garbled  story. 
The  scribes  and  Pharisees  scarcely  believed  it  them- 
selves; thinking  that,  if  it  were  true,  Jesus  would  have 
at  once  manifested  Himself  to  the  people ;  for,  foolish 
and  blind  as  they  were,  they  could  not  know  that 
God's  ways  were  not  the  ways  of  man.  Yet,  to  be 
perfectly  sure,  they  bribed  the  guards. 

They  paysed  not  to  consider  that  the  manner  in 
which  Christ  arose  was  a  splendid  testimony  in  favor 
of  the  divinity  of  the  Church ;  nor  to  reflect  how  that 
divinity  would  be  more  firmly  established  in  the  eyes 
of  the  people  if  the  Gospel  were  announced,  not  by 
Christ,  but  by  poor  and  humble  men  who  would  act 
under  His  direction,  so  that  the  faith  which  was 
founded  upon  the  cross  would  be  promulgated  by 
them,  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  to  the  going  down 
of  the  same,  in  such  a  manner  that  it  would  not  be 


FIRST    SERMON.  33  I 

forced  on  man,  but  would  be  meritorious  for  all  who 
would  embrace  it  with  sincerity  of  heart.  For,  as  St. 
Paul  observes,  this  would  afford  to  all  an  occasion  to 
share  in  the  merits  of  the  Redeemer  of  the  world. 
Of  all  this,  the  Pharisees  never  thought ;  but  deceived 
themselves  with  the  hope  that  if  Christ  appeared  not 
in  public,"  the  report  of  His  resurrection  would  finally 
die  away.  In  this,  however,  they  were  doomed  to  dis- 
appointment. 

But  fifty  days  elapsed,  and  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  effused  itself  upon  the  disciples  ;  and  St.  Peter, 
filled  with  that  divine  power,  stood  firm  before  the 
assembled  multitude  that  came  to  hear  his  inspired 
words.  And  what  was  the  subject  of  his  discourse  ? 
**This  Jesus,  who  was  put  to  death,  is  alive  ;  we  have 
witnessed  the  miracle.  Do  penance,  and  save  your- 
selves ;  for  there  is  no  other  name  under  heaven  given 
to  man  by  which  he  can  be  saved  than  the  name  of 
the  newly-risen  Jesus." 

And  thousands  believed — priests  and  people — and 
were  baptized  on  the  same  day,  becoming  members  of 
the  one  true  Church.  They  could  not  resist  the  power 
of  miracles,  which  the  Apostles  worked  before  their 
very  eyes.  And  what  mattered  it  to  the  two  disciples 
of  faith  and  love — St.  Peter  and  St.  John — that  the 
rays  of  the  setting  sun  fell  upon  the  gloomy  prison 
walls  wherein  they  were  thrown  for  confessing  Christ  ? 
They  were  taken  before  the  Sanhedrim,  the  highest 
tribunal  of  the  Jews.  All  that  was  required  of  them 
was  silence.    *'  Be  ye  silent;  say  nothing  of  the  Resur- 

22 


332  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

rection."  But,  for  reply,  they  uttered  the  words  which, 
during  the  long  course  of  nineteen  centuries,  have  been 
the  watchword  of  those  who  have  combatted  for  Christ 
and  for  His  holy  faith  :  **  Judge  yourselves  whether  it 
were  better  to  obey  God  or  man." 

This  reply,  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  finds  a  ready 
echo  in  our  own  day,  especially  throughout  all  Ger- 
many, with  the  most  sublime  power  of  faith.  ''Judge 
yourselves  whether  it  were  better  to  obey  God  or 
man."  No  earthly  power  can  still  the  cry;  persecu- 
tion is  powerless;  Jesus  lives! 

Thus  rang  the  cry  of  triumph  throughout  the  holy 
city,  and  the  heroic  Apostles  went  forth  to  the  confines 
of  the  earth:  ''  He  is  risen,  He  is  alive."  All  peoples 
and  nations  shall  hear  it.  This,  as  St.  Paul  remarks, 
places  the  seal  upon  our  holy  faith.  Had  Christ  not 
arisen  we  would  have  been  deceived,  the  Gospel  a 
gross  illusion,  and  we  who  preach  it,  what  would  we 
have  been?  Into  what  folly  would  we  not  have  been 
betrayed  had  we  not  possessed  a  firm  assurance  of 
the  Resurrection !  For  what  other  fruit  would  have 
sprung  from  our  labors  but  want,  misery,  deprivation, 
persecution,  and  death?  But  Jesus  did  arise.  Conse- 
quently faith,  with  all  its  promises,  is  true. 

"  Thou  art  Peter ;  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  my 
church,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against 
her."  And  again:  **  Behold,  I  send  you  as  lambs 
among  wolves."  ''As  they  have  persecuted  me,  so 
they  will  persecute  you  ; "  but  "  fear  not ;  I  have  over- 
come the  world."    "  Blessed  are  you  if  they  persecute 


FIRST    SERMON.  333 

you  for  my  sake.  If  they  persecute  and  speak  deceit- 
fully of  you,  rejoice  and  be  glad ;  for  great,  exceeding 
great,  will  be  your  reward  in  heaven."  Yes,  Jesus  lives. 
This  firmly-grounded  and  lively  faith  is  the  pulse 
which  stirs  the  heart  of  the  Church,  and  inspires  her 
with  courage  to  conquer,  though  tempests  may  lower 
and  storms  may  rage.  Also  in  this  year  of  grace, 
1 8 — ,  the  joyous  Alleluia  resounds  throughout  all 
Christendom,  and  ascends  on  high  to  the  throne  of 
the  living  God  from  the  four  ends  of  the  globe. 

The  enemies  of  the  Church  do  not  regard  her 
trials,  no  matter  how  nobly  borne,  as  triumphs,  but 
look  upon  them  with  disdainful  eye.  Let  them  not 
boast  too  soon.  They  can  never  destroy  the  Bride  of 
Christ.  It  is  true  that  the  strongest  military  force  is 
arrayed  against  her,  so  that  if  she  had  been  founded 
by  military  power — and  if  Christ  had  entrusted  His 
Church  to  the  protection  and  favor  of  the  great  ones  of 
the  earth,  and  had  not  promised  to  them  His  protection 
and  assistance  until  the  consummation  of  the  world — 
far  different  would  be  the  result.  Then,  indeed,  would 
she  have  now  cause  to  tremble,  since  she  would  be 
totally  foKsaken  by  her  own  crowned  children,  and 
might  well  cry  out  with  Christ:  **I  looked  around, 
but  there  was  no  one  to  help ;  and  I  trod  the  wine- 
press alone."  The  Church,  as  the  mystical  body  of 
Christ,  knows  that  there  is  no  other  way  to  triumph 
with  Him,  than  that  which  began  on  Calvary;  and 
that  to  rise  from  the  grave  on  the  last  dread  day,  as 
the  Church  triumphant,  to   celebrate  an   Easter-day 


334  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

with  her  divine  Spouse  in  heaven,  she  must  parti- 
cipate in  the  agonizing  sorrow  of  His  sacred  Pas- 
sion. 

Her  confidence,,  therefore,  is  not  placed  in  the 
powerful  arm  of  the  mighty.  Never  has  she  trusted 
in  them,  for  her  general  experience  of  them  has  been, 
as  the  Holy  Ghost,  through  the  psalmist,  declared 
centuries  ago:  "The  powerful  and  the  princes  of  the 
earth  have  joined  together  against  the  Lord  and  His 
anointed ;  but  the  Lord  laughs  at  them."  Think  of 
Sennacherib,  who  dared  to  send  a  derisive  letter  to 
Jerusalem — to  the  temple,  and  lo!  the  morrow's  sun 
arose  upon  a  vast  army  of  soldiers,  struck  dead 
around  the  city,  in  one  single  night,  by  an  angel  of 
.the  Lord. 

Jesus,  the  King  of  angels,  needs  not  to  exalt  Him- 
self. In  His  Passion  He  says:  ''  If  I  were  to  ask  My 
Father,  He  would  send  Me  more  than  twelve  legions 
of  angels  to  protect  Me."  Twelve  legions!  And  one 
would  have  been  a  more  than  sufficient  force  against 
all  the  soldiers  in  the  world.  And  the  Church  has 
the  protection  not  only  of  angels,  but  of  the  Lord 
Himself.  Therefore  she  appeals  not  to  her  enemies 
for  pity,  neither  does  she  fear  their  hate.  Most  true 
it  is  that  she  enjoys  not  to-day  the  protection  of  a 
Constantine,  a  Charlemagne,  a  Louis,  or  a  Ferdinand, 
who  are  gone,  but  One  mightier  than  they  remains 
with  her.  Jesus  lwes\  The, influence  of  His  presence 
may  be  felt  from  the  tabernacle  of  the  loftiest  temple 
in  Rome  and  Cologne  to  the  poorest  resting-place  of 


FIRST   SERMON.  335 

our  Lord  in  the  humble  little  chapel  of  some  Ameri- 
can forest.  The  Church  trusts  in  Him  who  liveth  and 
has  declared:  '*A11  power  is  given  to  Me  in  heaven 
and  on  earth."  He,  the  King  of  kings,  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  defends  her. 

Whence,  then,  O  ye  persecutors  of  the  faith  f  comes 
your  certainty  of  triumph  which  you  expect  ?  It  is  from 
your  arrogant  confidence  in  your  own  perfidious  pru- 
dence and  diplomacy,  from  the  plans  so  admirably 
devised  by  the  members  of  your  secret  societies,  and, 
more  than  all,  from  the  assurance  you  feel  that  you  are 
collecting  all  your  energies  for  the  crushing  blow  which 
will  ruin  the  devoted  members  of  the  Holy  Catholic 
Church,  even  as  the  terrible  avalanche  which,  as  it  rolls 
down  the  mountain  side,  destroys  all  who  come  in  its 
way.    O  folly ! 

Yes,  my  brethren,  had  the  Church  been  established 
and  introduced  into  the  world  by  human  prudence, 
and  her  government  founded  upon  the  darkness  and 
deceit  of  diplomatic  combinations ;  if  her  duration  and 
welfare  were  made  to  depend  on  such  circumstances, 
then,  you  could  hope  to  see  her  crushed ;  then  would 
the  Church  have  cause  to  dread  the  prospect  of  to- 
day. But  this  is  so  far  from  being  true  that  St.  Paul 
assures  us  that  the  children  of  the  world  look  upon 
the  Gospel  as  folly.  Had  its  divine  Founder  pro- 
ceeded in  His  great  work  according  to  human  pru- 
dence, for  the  propagation  of  His  Church,  he  would 
not  have  selected  twelve  ignorant  fishermen,  but  His 
choice  would  have  fallen  upon  men  learned  and  skilled 


^2,6  FEAST   OF  EASTER    MONDAY. 

in  diplomatic  lore,  or  upon  the  great  and  rich  ones  of 
the  earth. 

The  Church  has  ceased  to  look  for  aid  and  comfort 
now.  Her  confidence  of  victory  is  the  consciousness 
of  faith.  ''Jesus  lives!"  Hear  this,  ye  enemies  of 
this  holy  faith,  and  tremble !  You  may  hide  your 
schemes  from  man,  even  from  the  vicar  of  Christ,  but 
I/ey  the  Lord,  the  Protector  of  His  people,  looks  down 
and  reads  them  all.  Go  on  with  your  evil  devices ; 
surround  them,  as  is  most  fitting,  with  the  gloom  and 
silence  of  the  midnight  hour ;  bury  them  deep  beneath 
the  weight  of  your  secret  oaths  ;  the  eye  of  the  Lord  is 
upon  you, — that  all-seeing  eye  which  discerned  the 
deeds  of  the  Egyptians,  and  defeated  their  plans  when 
they  were  so  sure  of  victory.  And  Holy  Scripture  says, 
that  as  they  beheld  this  terrible  eye  in  the  clouds, 
terror-stricken,  they  cried  out:  ''The  Lord  fighteth 
for  Israel,  let  us  abandon  the  conflict."  But  it  was 
too  late.  The  horses  sprang  forward,  the  wheels  fell 
from  the  chariots,  the  turbid  waters  of  the  Red  Sea 
rushed  over  them,  and  horsemen  and  chariots  "were 
sunk  in  the  wave."  Yes,  the  eye  of  the  Lord  is  upon 
you!  Cease  persecuting  His  Church  while  there  is 
still  time.  Can  you  not  hear  the  angry  roar  of  the 
raging  waters  which  threaten  to  engulf  you  in  their 
depths?  Do  not  rejoice  in  an  ill-founded  confidence 
of  victory,  trusting  in  the  power  of  the  law — in  the 
protection  of  the  State,  which,  in  your  eyes,  is  omnip- 
otent With  your  unjust  laws  you  wish  to  bind  the 
Church,  through  her  ministers,  in  fetters,  which  can 


FIRST    SERMON.  337 

not  be  loosed ;  and  apparently  you  may  succeed,  for 
with  you  might  is  right ;  and  while  no  one  is  able  to 
resist,  you  trample  upon  the  weak  and  the  poor.  But 
hearken,  O  ye  enemies  of  Christ!  rivets  if  you  will,  the 
strongest  chains  around  His  ministers ;  force  His 
vicar  to  dwell  a  captive  within  his  prison  home ;  you 
can  never  fetter  the  Church!  The  mystical  Bride  of 
Christ,  free  and  unchained,  smiles  at  your  futile  efforts ; 
for  Christ  is  her  Head,  her  Defender,  her  Spouse ;  and 
He  is  free.  ''  He  has  risen  ;  He  lives;  '*  and  will  one 
day  judge  you  according  to  His  law. 

*'  From  thence  He  shall  come  to  judge  the  living 
and  the  dead."  One  day,  and  God  knows  how  soon — 
it  may  be  that  the  time  is  near  at  hand — the  avenging 
arm  of  His  justice  will  be  stretched  over  you,  and  the 
sun  of  your  power  will  set.  Read  old  Lactantius,  and 
see  therein  that  not  one  crowned  persecutor  of  the 
Church  escaped  a  woeful  punishment.  The  history 
of  the  present  time  will  tell  the  same.  Witness 
Cavour,  the  third  Napoleon,  and  others  who  have 
been  already  swept  away  by  death  and  brought  be- 
fore the  stern  judgment-seat  of  an  angry  God.  And 
what  would  they  tell  you  now? 

Whence  comes  this  confidence  of  victory  in  your 
warfare  against  the  Church?  You  trust  to  public 
opinion,  which  you  win  to  the  side  of  wrong  by  fraud 
and  falsehood.  Yet  beware,  lest  you  stretch  the  line 
too  far,  and  delude  only  the  blind  and  unthinking 
populace — not  men  who  love  and  try  to  see  the 
truth.   O  Pharisees  of  modern  times !  you  leave  naught 


338  FEAST  OF  EASTER  MONDAY. 

untried  to  make  the  world  believe  that  you  would  be 
its  greatest  benefactors,  and  that  only  the  Church 
stands  in  the  way  of  the  wealth  and  greatness  which 
would  pour  in  upon  man,  could  that  ''vile  dominion" 
of  the  priests  be  overthrown.  But  your  works  and  the 
fruits  thereof  savor  too  much  of  the  "  sounding  brass  " 
and  the  "tinkling  cymbal"  to  influence  reflecting 
men. 

What!  the  Church  an  enemy  of  culture  and  prog- 
ress? The  history  of  the  world,  and  especially  of 
Germany,  cries  out  "'tis  false."  What  would  almost 
all  Europe  be  to-day  if  the  Catholic  Church  had  not 
educated  barbarians  up  to  the  standard  of  civilized 
men?  Most  probably  yet  a  wilderness.  You  glory 
in  the  idea  that  you  have  drawn  the  sword  in  the  con- 
flict of  culture,  and  pretend  to  unsheathe  it  for  liberty 
in  opposition  to  the  ultramontane  clergy  "in  their 
vile  oppression,"  while,  in  truth,  you  have  unsheathed 
it  but  in  the  annihilation  of  their  noble  efforts  for  the 
welfare  of  mankind:  You  profess  to  create  the  hap- 
piness of  nations,  forgetting  that  it  is  "good  to  live 
under  the  crozier."  Ask  Rome  herself!  Had  her 
citizens  more  weighty  burdens  under  Pius  IX.  or 
Victor  Emanuel?  You,  who  fain  would  rule  the 
Church,  educate  her  ministers,  and  judge  of  their 
every  actions,  still  dare  to  speak  of  usurpations  on 
the  part  of  that  holy,  that  divine  Church!  We  ask, 
when  did  Pius  IX.  or  his  successor  Leo  XIII.  ever 
think  of  examining  your  officers  of  the  state,  or 
attempt  to  control  your  treasury?    You  slander  the 


FIRST    SERMON.  339 

Church  and  her  ministers  when  you  accuse  them  of 
believing  that  "the  end  justifies  the  means,"  for  that  is 
the  very  maxim  which  guides  your  course,  as  your 
deeds  show  but  too  well.  You  speak  of  the  usurpa- 
tions of  the  Church  against  the  state,  yet  when  did 
she  take  from  you  one  little  foot  of  soil?  while  you 
have  robbed  the  Holy  Father  of  the  heritage  which  came 
and  belong  to  Him  by  right,  and  styled  it  ''annexa- 
tion." You  have  unblushingly  stolen  the  property  of 
the  Church ;  you  make,  and  annul  contracts  at  your 
own  good  pleasure ;  but  God  is  faithful  and  true. 
Jesus  lives,  and  will  keep  his  word:  "I  am  with  you 
all  days,  even  to  the  consummation  of  the  world." 
''The  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  her." 

Certainly  the  successors  of  St.  Peter  die,  but  He 
Whom  they  represent,  Jesus,  dies  no  more.  Therefore, 
my  dearest  children  of  Holy  Church,  rejoice  and 
exult  with  your  mother  in  this  happy  Easter-time; 
forget  your  fears ;  the  Lord  is  nigh. 

A  few  words  before  I  close  as  to  the  resemblance 
between  the  Pharisees  and  all  the  enemies  of  Christ 
at  Jerusalem,  and  the  modern  Pharisees  and  his  ene- 
mies of  the  present  day.  We  might  well  imagine  that 
the  gulf  of  nineteen  centuries  was  bridged  over,  so 
wonderful  is  the  resemblance  between  them.  I  look 
in  spirit  to  that  mount,  so  precious  by  its  sacred  mem- 
ories, and  see  the  crucified,  dying  Redeemer,  the  Sol- 
diers, the  Scribes  and  Pharisees ;  then  turning  to  that 
Calvary,  whereon  the  Church  is  daily  crucified,  I  look 
on  Soldiers,  Pharisees,  and  Scribes, — Soldiers  arrayed 


340  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

against  her,  men  full  of  pretended  righteousness — 
learned  men  who  have  so  far  forgotten  their  early  les- 
sons as  to  abandon  the  Church. 

The  enemies  of  Christ  shouted  in  derision:  "Let 
Him  come  down  from  the  cross,  and  we  will  believe 
in  Him,"  but  they  were  not  sincere.  Had  the  Sav- 
iour done  so,  they  would  have  seized  and  bound  Him 
to  the  cross  once  more.  In  like  manner  the  enemies 
of  Jesus  act  to-day,  when  they  scornfully  bid  His  vicar 
free  himself  from  the  Sardinian  power ;  and  when  they 
haste  to  the  assistance  of  that  power,  bid  him  secure 
their  weapons,  and  they  will  then  believe  in  his  infalH- 
bility.     But  he  can  not  do  this  ! 

The  Pharisees  appealed  to  the  law  to  excuse  their 
crime  of  deicide,  and  now  the  secret  societies  try  to 
win  over  the  officers  of  the  state.  They  enact  laws, 
and  to  what  do  they  amount?  Away  with  her!  Cru- 
cify her!  Let  the  very  name  of  the  Catholic  Church 
be  erased  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  Pharisees  gloried  in  their  loyalty,  and  would 
acknowledge  no  other  authority  than  that  of  the  em- 
peror. Jesus  calls  Himself  the  Son  of  God,  but  they 
place  Him  below  the  Caesar.  So,  too,  did  they  act  as 
diplomats,  asserting  that  Jesus  was  an  enemy  of  the 
state,  and  that  He  seduced  the  people.  The  most  ef- 
fective weapon  they  directed  against  Pilate  to  force 
him  to  condemn  the  Saviour,  was  this :  ''  If  thou  re- 
lease this  man,  thou  art  not  the  friend  of  the  Caesar." 
xA^nd  in  our  day,  beloved  in  Christ,  Catholics,  be  their  sta- 
tion in  life  what  it  may,  are  called  dangerous  to  the 


FIRST    SERMON.  34 1 

country  which  shelters  and  protects  them.  But  we  loud- 
ly protest  that  we  are  no  more  what  they  represent  us 
to  be,  than  was  Christ  an  enemy  of  the  Romans  and 
dangerous  to  the  state. 

Say !  were  Christ  to  appear  once  more  in  the  flesh 
on  earth,  would  you  permit  Him  to  travel  through 
your  country,  and  preach  the  gospel  unmolested  ?  You 
would  not,  indeed.  '*Away  with  Him!  away  with 
Him!  Cast  Him  into  the  deepest  dungeon,  or  force 
Him  to  leave  at  once,"  would  be  your  verdict. 

And  yet,  forsooth,  you  call  a  government  which  does 
behave  in  this  way,  a  Christian  one  ?  Herod  and  Pilate 
were  reconciled  over  the  crucifixion  of  Jesus.  History 
repeats  itself,  my  brethren,  and  we  see  persons  ^the 
most  opposite  opinions  and  characters  join  hands 
against  the  Church.  Ministers  and  potentates,  inim- 
ical to  each  other  in  every  other  respect, — Dollenger 
and  Reinkens,  old  Catholics  and  Jansenists,  Apostate 
Catholics  and  Protestants  of  the  most  divers  sects, 
Spaniards  and  Brazilians,  Russians  and  Prussians,  So- 
cialists and  Capitalists,  Republicans  and  Royalists, — 
unite  in  perfect  syrripathy  against  the  Church. 

From  the  guards  themselves  the  Pharisees  heard 
of  the  Resurrection,  and  yet  they  made  no  inquiries  into 
it.  They  simply  thought:  '*We  will  not  believe  it," 
and  remained  indifferent ;  or  rather,  so  obstinately  were 
they  disposed,  that  if  they  could  have  beheld  the  Sav- 
iour crucified  a  second,  a  third  time— yea,  a  thousand 
times — rising  again  and  again  from  the  dead,  they  would 
not  have  believed  in  Him.  And  so  it  is  with  our  modern 


342  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

Pharisees.  They  sentence  to  banishment  those  whom 
they  are  pleased  to  style  dangerous  to  the  state,  be- 
fore searching  into  a  single  case.  They  can  not  en- 
dure their  presence,  because  they  give  glorious  testi- 
mony to  the  truth  of  the  Church.  They  do  not  want 
the  Church,  and  so  condemn  her,  and  those  who  sup- 
port her  cause,  always  with  the  same  injustice.  The 
Pharisees  bribed  the  soldiers  to  conceal  the  truth,  and 
even  to*^  utter  falsehoods  the  most  direct  and  base ; 
and  those  of  our  .day  seek  to  bribe  the  guards  of  the 
public  press  to  conceal  or  distort  the  truth.  The 
guards,  in  those  bye-gone  days,  said  that  while  they 
were  asleep  '*  the  disciples  stole  the  body."  Most 
justly  has  St.  Augustine  ridiculed  the  absurdity  of 
these  lying  hypocrites  :  "  So,  then,  the  disciples  did  it 
while  you  were  asleep?"  How  could  you,  guards, 
have  seen  them  if  you  were  asleep  ?  So  you  bring 
sleeping  witnesses  ?  O  malice !  we  might  almost  think 
you  slept  yourselves,  not  to  recognize  such  fraud  and 
contradiction.  And  to  our  modern  Pharisees  we  may 
say:  "Have  you  passed  your  whole  lives  in  sleep, 
dreaming  the  hours  away,  that  you  have  never  heard 
of,  or  read  the  glorious  career  of  the  Church,  her  com- 
bats and  her  victories?  " 

The  enemies  of  St.  Peter  and  the  faith,  in  the  early 
days  of  Christianity,  could  even  then  take  to  heart  the 
admonition  of  Gamaliel  in  regard  to  the  infant  Church  : 
*'  If  this  work  is  of  God,  you  can  not  destroy  it  " 
And  now  over  eighteen  centuries  have  passed,  during 
which  the  Church  has  suffered  constant  attacks,  but 


FIRST    SERMON.  343 

from  every  one  she  has  arisen  more  glorious  and  beau- 
tiful.    How  can  you  deny  her  divine  character? 

Look  at  those  three  hundred  years  during  which 
the  Roman  emperors,  with  scarce  a  single  exception, 
unsheathed  their  swords  against  the  Church,  and  sub- 
jected her  faithful  children,  among  whom  were  many 
of  the  sovereign  pontiffs,  to  the  most  cruel  torments. 
Many  of  them,  indeed,  gave  up  their  lives  rather 
than  be  unfaithful  to  Him  Whose  vicars  they  were. 

Think  of  Arianism  which  crept  into  the  Church  di- 
rectly after,  when  numbers  of  the  bishops  embraced 
the  heresy;  while  now,  among  those  who  are  false  to 
the  one  true  faith,  there  can  not  be  found  one  single 
bishop.  Think  of  the  conflicts  of  the  Middle  Ages  ; 
the  long  and  weary  contest  of  the  Hohenstauffens, — 
their  outrages  ;  the  great  schism  ;  the  Reformation. 
Consider  the  French  Revolution  and  its  terrible  re- 
sults,— the  Church  persecuted,  her  ministers  taken  cap- 
tive, and  yet  she  issued  victorious  from  all  this. 

In  our  own  day  the  ''  Infallibility  "  of  the  successors 
of  Peter  has  been  defined,  and  the  Church  is  as  firmly 
grounded  as  in  her  earliest  days  upon  this  immovable 
rock.  To  so  many  proofs  can  our  enemies  be  blind  and 
deaf?  If  so,  such  stupidity  richly  merits  the  ridicule 
found  in  the  caricature  that  was  placed  upon  every  cor- 
ner of  the  streets  in  Berlin,  representing  an  attempt  to 
force  the  rock  of  Peter  from  its  foundation,  and  hurl  it 
over  a  precipice,  together  with  the  Church  which  is  built 
upon  it.  The  devil  appears  on  the  scene.  *'  Go  on," 
he  says,  ''and  see  how  you  will  succeed.    For  more 


344  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

than  eighteen  hundred  years  it  has  been  my  constant 
aim  to  accomplish  that  feat,  and  I  am  no  nearer  to  it 
than  when  I  began." 

Therefore,  Catholics,  courage  !  Even  now  when  the 
clouds  of  persecution  lower  so  darkly  over  the  religious 
horizon,  fail  not  to  rejoice,  and  to  entone,  also  this 
year,  the  Alleluia  of  happy  Easter.  Victory  is  certain. 
Persecution  can  only  increase  our  merits  in  heaven, 
when,  after  a  stormy  combat  here  below,  we  celebrate 
with  Christ  a  glorious  Easter  there, — the  jubilee  of 
the  Church  triumphant  after  the  final  downfall  of  her 
enemies !  Oh,  what  thunders  of  a  glad  and  joyous 
Alleluia  will  then  eternally  resound  throughout  that 
celestial  dome,  before  the  throne  of  Him  Who  con- 
quered death  and  hell !    Amen ! 


':  TE^^D 


SECOND    SERMON.  345 


SECOND  SERMON. 

"Those  belonging  to  Christ  shall  rise  first." — i  Thess.  iv,  15. 
"I  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  body.  / 

SO  do  we,  children  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church, 
declare  our  belief  as  we  find  it  in  the  Apostles' 
Creed.  This  article  of  faith,  Christ,  in  speaking  of 
the  end  of  the  world,  announced  Himself  in  the  most 
solemn  manner.  And  St.  Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  the 
Corinthians,  expounds  the  same  belief,  for  he  ex- 
pressly speaks  of  a  twofold  Resurrection,  viz :  Either 
to  glory  or  dishonor, — for  the  good,  to  glory ;  for  the 
wicked,  to  dishonor.  But  that  it  will  surely  tend  to 
our  glory,  a  spiritual  resurrection  must  have  already 
taken  place  in  our  lives,  if  we  have  been  so  unhappy 
as  to  have  lived  in  a  state  of  sin  or  tepidity,  which  is  so 
hateful  in  the  sight  of  God. 

Lent,  therefore,  has  been  instituted  by  the  Church 
as  a  preparation  for  the  glorious  Feast  of  Easter  ;  and 
she  invites  her  children  to  spend  it  in  such  a  manner 
that  they  may  be  ready  for  this  happy  day — be  ani- 
mated with  new  zeal,  and  arise  from  the  grave  of  sin 
or  tepidity  to  a  holy  life  in  imitation  of  Christ. 

But  this  is  not  the  case  with  all  who  apparently  cele- 
brate Easter  with  the  Church.  The  Christian  may,  it 
is  true,  according  to  that  precept  which  commands  him 
to  do  so,  have  made  his  confession ;  but,  alas !  it  was 
illusion,  for  there  was  no  amendment  of  life,  and,  con- 
sequently, no  true  spiritual  resurrection. 


34^  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

To  prove  the  truth  of  this  assertion,  my  dearest  breth- 
ren, will  be  the  object  of  my  discourse  to-day. 

^  O  Mary,  who  hast  already  risen  from  death,  bless, 
I  beseech  thee,  the  words  which  I  here  direct  to  the 
hearts  of  thy  children! 

I  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  the  risen  Jesus, 
for  the  greater  glory  of  God ! 


Good  Friday — that  day  so  memorable  for  the  hu- 
man race ;  that  day  whose  every  hour  was  laden  with 
the  deepest  sorrow  the  heart  can  bear;  that  day  so 
sad  and  yet  so  consoling  for  the  children  of  Adam — 
has  passed,  and  Christ  lies  dead  in  the  sepulcher.  A 
heavy  stone  bars  the  entrance  to  the  sacred  tomb; 
and  herein  do  we  find  the  picture  of  the  sinner  who 
lies  buried  deep  in  the  grave  of  sin. 

Sin  deprives  our  souls  of  the  life  of  grace.  The 
habit  of  sin  is  the  grave  which  incloses  the  sinner; 
and  in  the  stone  which  seals  it  so  fast  we  behold  an 
emblem  of  the  difficulties  which  lie  in  the  way  of  his 
conversion.  These  are  :  the  power  of  habit,  the  fasci- 
nation of  evil  desires,  temporal  gain  or  loss  which  a 
return  to  God  may  entail ;  and,  more  than  all,  human 
respect,  or  a  servile  fear  of  man. 

Read  the  confessions  of  St.  Augustine,  that  great 
saint  who,  in  his  own  case,  experienced  what  a  degree 
of  self-command  is  required  to  enable  poor  sinners 
to  rise  from  the  grave  of  sin  to  a  true  spiritual  resur- 
rection. 


SECOND    SERMON.  347 

Midnight  passes  to  give  place  to  the  coming  dawn. 
The  earth  trembles.  What  is  signified  by  this,  in 
relation  to  the  different  times  in  which  the  sinner 
has  arisen  from  spiritual  death,  we  will  clearly  per- 
ceive when  we  consider  what  the  Church,  through  the 
Council  of  Trent,  teaches  for  the  justification  of  the 
sinner. 

In  that  twilight  of  faith  which  still  lingers  over  his 
soul,  the  sinner  begins  to  feel  and  lament  his  misera- 
ble condition.  He  shudders  at  the  thought  of  the  ter- 
rible judgment  of  God,  especially  when  he  reflects  on 
the  fate  which  awaits  him,  when,  on  the  day  of  final 
doom,  the  archangel  sounds  his  trumpet  calling  upon 
the  dead  to  arise  and  come  to  judgment.  Then,  in- 
deed, is  it  that  he  realizes  his  weakness  ;  and  the  first 
faint  gleam  of  hope  dawns  upon  his  soul  that  it  may 
be  possible  for  him  to  give  up  his  evil  habits,  and  be 
once  more  a  child  of  God.  And  the  hope  becomes 
brighter  when  he  remembers  the  infinite  mercy  of  his 
Creator,  and  the  means  which  God,  in  His  infinite 
love,  has  left  to  His  Church  for  the  forgiveness  of 
sins — the  Sacrament  of  Penance. 

His  guardian-angel  prays  for  him;  and,  by  the  om- 
nipotence of  grace,  the  stone  is  rolled  away.  Tempo 
ral  considerations,  which  were  the  guard  around  the 
grave  of  sin,  take  flight;  and  the  sinner  arises  from 
that  tomb  in  which,  perhaps,  he  has  been  lying  for 
years.  Well  for  him  if  it  prove  to  be  a  permanent 
resurrection  for  eternal  life;   but,  my  dear  brethren, 

this  is  only  the  case  when,  in  his  exterior,  as  well  as 
23 


348  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

in  his  Interior,  life  and  soul,  there  shine  forth,  with 
steady  light,  those  properties  through  which  our  Di- 
vine Model,  Christ,  raised  Himself  from  the  grave. 

These  are,  especially,  the  following: 

The  bodies  of  the  just,  as  they  arise  on  the  last 
day,  will  be  luminous — that  is,  spiritually  transfigured, 
agile;  that  is,  having  power  to  soar  aloft,  filled  with 
eternal  bliss  and  immortal  life. 

In  the  spiritual  sense,  these  same  properties  signify 
the  true  Resurrection  from  the  death  of  the  soul  to  a 
new  spiritual  life.  The  bodies  of  the  blessed,  as  they 
arise  from  the  dead,  will  no  longer  be  characterized 
by  that  cumbersome  weight  which  seemed,  in  life,  to 
draw  them  to  earth ;  but,  as  St.  Paul  teaches,  the 
arisen  saints  simultaneously  soar  up  in  the  air  to  meet 
the  Redeemer,  even  as  His  sacred  body  soared  in- 
stantaneously in  triumph  above  the  tomb. 

And  now,  what  relation  does  this  condition  of  body 
bear  to  the  condition  of  the  soul  of  that  sinner  who  has 
truly  repented  and  arisen  to  a  better  life  ? 

First,  dearly  beloved,  he  no  longer  feels  the  annoy- 
ance and  pain  which  formerly  pressed  like  a  heavy 
weight  upon  his  soul  and  bore  him  down,  making  it 
difficult  and  even  impossible  for  him  to  walk  in  the 
path  of  virtue,  to  avoid  the  occasions  of  sin,  and  to 
overcome  the  pressure  of  temptation. 

Now,  strengthened  by  divine  grace,  he  feels  changed, 
a  new  life  is  infused  into  his  soul,  and  what  heretofore 
only  inspired  him  with  disgust,  now  becomes  sweet 
and  agreeable,  and  even  tends  to  the  recreation  of  his 


SECOND   SERMON.  349 

.   » 

soul  —  such  as  a  child-like  intercourse  with  God  and 
the  performance  of  acts  of  Christian  piety. 

The  glorified  bodies  of  the  just  are  also  agile;  that 
is,  in  what  place  soever  man  thinks  of  being,  there  he 
is,  body  and  soul. 

Let  us  make  the  application  and  say,  man,  when  in  a 
state  of  habitual  sin,  does  not  proceed  with  fervor  in  the 
divine  service.  He  is  spiritually  lame,  but  after  his 
resurrection  he  hastens  with  pleasure  whithersoever 
he  is  called  by  the  whispers  of  grace.  He  can  rejoice 
with  David:  ''After  Thou  hast  enlarged  my  heart  I 
run  in  the  way  of  Thy  commandments.^' 

Before  he  has  truly  arisen,  the  sinner  lies  in  the 
grave  of  sin,  deep — buried  deep.  He  has  eyes,  and  ^ 
sees  not — ears,  and  hears  not ;  he  has  hands,  yet  can 
not  use  them ;  he  has  feet,  yet  can  not  walk.  Instead 
of  the  sweet  odor  of  Christ,  which  St.  Paul  admonishes 
us  to  diffuse  around,  he  spreads,  by  the  mire  of  those 
sins  in  which  he  wallows,  the  pestilential  exhalation 
of  bad  example. 

Now,  by  a  true  resurrection  and  by  leading  a  virtu- 
ous life,  the  converted  sinner  beholds  the  fulfillment 
spiritually  of  those  miracles  which  Christ  mentioned 
when  He  sent  the  disciples  to  St.  John  with  the  words : 
''Say  to  John,  The  blind  see,  the  deaf  hear,  the  dumb 
speak,  the  lame  walk,  and  the  dead  arise." 

He  who  has  arisen  to  a  life  of  grace  and  zeal  sees 
clearly  before  him  the  way  to  perfection,  perceives  the 
inspirations  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  intones  by  word  and 
deed  the  praises  of  God,  makes  rapid  strides  in  the 


350  FEAST  OF   EASTER    MONDAY. 

path  of  virtue,  and,  advancing  daily  in  perfection,  pre- 
serves in  his  soul  the  light  and  life  of  the  grace  of 
God. 

At  the  last  day  the  bodies  of  the  blessed  will  be 
filled  with  delight — radiant,  luminous,  and  beautiful 
to  behold;  for  Christ  says:  ''But  the  just  shall  one 
day  shine  like  stars  in  the  kingdom  of  My  Father." 

What  relation  does  this  bear  to  the  state  of  that 
sinner  who  has  arisen  from  the  grave  of  iniquity  and 
soared  to  his  Saviour  with  contrite  love  ? 

O  dearly  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  it  is  the  fulfillment 
of  the  promise  of  Christ,  the  hundredfold  of  consola- 
tion and  delight  which  we  taste  even  amid  the  trials 
and  troubles  of  life  if  we  faithfully  imitate  Him  and 
live  an  interior  life,  hidden  with  Christ  in  God,  thus 
acquiring  the  knowledge  of  those  higher  degrees  of 
prayer  which  is  not  given  to  worldlings  to  know. 

It  is  also  the  light  of  good  example  to  which  Christ 
refers  when  He  calls  out  to  us  :  "  Therefore  let  the 
^light  of  your  good  works  shine  before  men,  that  they 
may  behold  them,  and  glorify  your  Father  Who  is  in 
heaven." 

There  are  especially  seven  rays  of  splendor  which 
illumine  the  life  of  the  truly  converted  sinner,  and 
these  correspond  to  the  seven  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
The  characteristic  of  these  sevenfold  gifts  of  the  Spirit 
of  light  is  that  they  lead  us  to  the  permanent  practice 
of  the  seven  corresponding  virtues,  for  the  greater 
sanctification  of  our  souls. 

This  consideration  points  to  the  last  property  of  the 


SECOND    SERMON.  351. 

glorified  bodies  of  the  saved — Immortality.  In  apply- 
ing this  to  the  condition  of  the  truly  converted  sinner 
in  regard  to  his  salvation,  it  means,  my  brethren,  ''No 
more  relapses."  *'  Christ  is  risen  from  death,  and  dies 
no  more."  The  words  sp'bken  by  the  angel  to  the  holy 
women  must,  in  a  spiritual  manner,  be  verified  in  all 
those  who  have  arisen  from  the  grave  of  sin:  **  He  is 
no  longer  here." 

No ;  grace  has  penetrated  the  heart  of  that  happy 
penitent,  and  he  has  ceased  to  dwell  amid  the  willful 
occasions  of  sin.  He  can  not  be  found  in  that  place 
where  his  only  aim  was  the  gratification  of  his  evil 
desires.  He  is,  in  fine,  no  longer  a  frequenter  of  his 
former  wicked  haunts. 

What  I  have  here  said  of  the  resurrection  from  the 
spiritual  death  of  sin  is  equally  applicable  to  the  change 
from  a  state  of  tepidity  to  a  life  of  zeal,  and  from  a 
holy  life  to  one  of  still  greater  sanctity,  by  the  annual 
renewal  of  the  celebration  of  this  joyful  feast  in  spirit 
and  in  truth. — Amen  ! 


352  FEAST  OF  EASTER  MONDAY. 


THIRD  SERMON. 

**To  him  that  shall  overcome,   I  will  give  to  sit  with  Me  in  My  throne, 
as  I  also  have  overcome." — Apoc.  iii,  21. 

ON  every  feast  of  the  Church  is  stamped  the  im- 
press and  character  of  the  mystery  of  faith  it  is 
intended  to  commemorate,  and  of  which  we  are  vividly 
reminded  by  its  annual  occurrence.  Therefore  the  fes- 
tival of  Easter — ''the  feast  of  feasts" — is  a  day  of 
triumph,  and  the  exultant  strain  of  the  "Alleluia"  re- 
sounds throughout  the  Church.  On  Holy  Saturday, 
the  Preface  salutes  Christ  as  the  glorified  Redeemer, 
Who,  by  His  resurrection,  triumphed  over  death  and 
hell. 

All  Christendom  entones  a  gladsome  Easter  hymn 
in  honor  of  the  Conqueror  Who  vanquished  death,  and 
burst  the  trammels  of  the  grave. 

The  Saviour  struggled  against  the  enemies  of  our 
salvation  and  conquered;  and  so  will  you  vanquish 
them,  if  you  call  upon  Him. 

«' Death,  I  will  be  thy  death;  hell,  I  will  be  thy 
bite."  So  Christ  assures  us  through  the  mouth  of 
the  prophet.  This  was  fulfilled  by  the  painful  death 
on  the  cross,  from  which  He  arose,  the  Victor.  The 
joyful  Alleluia  reminds  us  of  this.  It  is  the  cry  of 
jubilee  of  the  Church  triumphant  in  heaven;  and  tells 
us  also  that,  if  we  wish  to  celebrate  Easter  with  Christ 
and  all  the  blessed  in  heaven,  we  must,  while  members 
of  the  militant  Church,  combat  and  conquer  with  her. 


THIRD    SERMON.  353 

What  will  particularly  encourage  us  to  combat  as 
children  of  God  is  the  thought  of  Christ,  the  Con- 
queror ;  and,  my  dearest  brethren,  all  that  intensifies 
the  joy  of  victory  beams  forth  in  an  infinitely  more 
perfect  manner  in  this  brilliant  triumph  which  Jesus 
gained  over  death  and  hell.  ^ 

The  joy  of  the  triumph  re-echoes  in  the  Alleluia 
which  He  entoned  when  He  arose  glorious  and  im- 
mortal from  the  tomb. 

0  Mary,  who,  by  crushing  the  serpent's  head,  didst 
vanquish  hell,  assist  us,  that  we  may  do  so  too;  and 
thus  rejoice  with  thee  in  the  triumph  of  the  Church 
for  all  eternity ! 

1  speak  in  the  name  of  the  Risen  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


When  the  children  of  Israel,  protected  and  led  by 
the  hand  of  the  Almighty  God,  crossed  the  Red  Sea,  a 
few  days  subsequent  to  the  celebration  of  Easter,  ac- 
cording to  the  command  of  God,  and  witnessed  the 
terrible  destruction  of  Pharaoh  and  his  whole  army, 
they  lifted  up  their  voices  and  sang  the  hymn  of  praise 
and  thanksgiving  to  the  Lord  which  Moses,  His  faith- 
ful servant,  had  taught  them  : 

"Sing  praise  to  the  Lord,  Who  giveth  glory  unto 
Himself.  Horses  and  riders  He  cast  into  the  sea. 
His  name  is  Almighty.  The  justice  of  the  Lord  has 
exalted  itself;  His  enemy  is  destroyed.  His  kingdom 
endures  from  eternity  to  eternity."    This  hymn  of  joy 


354  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

and  praise  was  sung  by  Mary,  the  sister  of  Moses 
and  Aaron,  and  all  the  women  of  Israel ;  and  then 
the  strain  was  taken  up  by  six  hundred  thousand 
men,  and  never  before,  nor  since,  has  the  world  heard 
such  a  glorious  song  of  praise. 

But  in  heaven,  ah,  yes!  in  heaven  will  be  sung  a 
hymn  of  praise  which  will  never  end — a  joyful  chant 
more  glorious  far  than  this,  to  celebrate  the  triumph 
of  Christ  over  Lucifer  and  his  infernal  hosts.  Ah,  yes ! 
the  Alleluia  which  the  risen  Lord,  in  the  majesty  of 
His  power  and  glory,  entones  with  the  whole  celestial 
choir  and  the  valiant  army  of  sanctified  souls,  in  com- 
memoration of  His  victory,  surpasses  by  far  the  song 
of  praise  which  the  Israelites,  rescued  from  Egyptian 
power,  poured  forth  unto  the  Lord. 

What  increased  the  joy  of  this  grateful  people,  as 
they  stood  upon  the  shores  of  Egypt's  dark  sea,  was, 
above  all,  the  imminence  of  the  danger  from  which 
they  had  been  delivered. 

For  we  all  know  full  well  that  the  more  numerous 
and  powerful  the  enemy  who  suffers  defeat,  the  more 
enthusiastic  are  the  demonstrations  of  the  conquerors. 
Now  Pharaoh,  with  his  powerful  troops  arrayed  in 
armor,  pursued  the  Israelites  with  the  utmost  haste, 
exulting  in  the  fact  that  the  chosen  people  of  God 
were  not  prepared  for  war;  moreover,  they  were 
surrounded  by  their  terrified  wives  and  wailing  chil- 
dren, whom  they  expected  to  see  slaughtered  before 
their  eyes,  or  led  once  more  into  a  captivity  worse 
than  death. 


THIRD    SERMON.  355 

When,  therefore,  they  beheld  their  relentless  foe 
stricken  down  by  the  arm  of  the  Lord, — buried  in  the 
waters  of  the  Red  Sea, — when  they  knew  that  the 
tyrant  and  his  minions  lay  lifeless  in  its  turbid 
depths,  their  overwhelming  delight  at  this  unlooked- 
for  delivery  can  not  be  described. 

What  exalts  the  feelings  of  triumph  of  a  victorious 
army  is  the  fact  that  they  have  conquered  in  spite  of 
the  many  exterior  circumstances  and  dangers  which 
utterly  took  away  the  hope  of  being  so  fortunate  as 
to  defeat  the  foe.  It  was  thus  with  the  children  of 
Israel.  The  dark  shadows  of  night  were  beginning 
to  close  around,  enshrouding  the  weary  wanderers  in 
a  sable  pall.  Before  them,  darkness  and  gloom ;  be- 
hind, the  terrible  foe.  The  mighty  throng,  they  felt, 
was  drawing  nearer  and  nearer,  to  crush  them  with 
the  weight  of  their  strength.  And  yet,  upon  what  a 
different  scene  did  the  sun  of  the  morrow  look  down ! 
The  Lord,  in  His  power,  had  called  on  the  waves  to 
divide,  while  the  Israelites  passed  to  the  opposite 
shore  ;  and,  when  the  pursuer  and  his  satellites  rushed 
madly  across,  they  united  once  more,  and  the  Egyp- 
tians were  buried  in  the  depths  of  the  sea.  What 
jubilant  gratitude  was  felt  by  the  Israelites  at  this 
unexpected  deliverance !  The  more,  because  God  had 
freed  them  from  a  miserable  state  of  bondage,  and 
led  them  to  the  possession  of  a  land  in  which  they 
could  live  in  comfort,  and  amply  provide  for  their 
children  and  their  children's  children.  Yes,  they  be- 
held themselves  rescued  from   that  slavery  in  which 


35^  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

the  long,  long  weary  days  dragged  so  slowly  on  in 
marching  to  Canaan,  the  dear  land  of  their  fathers — 
the  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey — where  they 
need  fear  neither  oppression  nor  want. 

Their  rejoicing  was  the  more  perfect  because  they 
felt  assured  that,  after  having  wrought  so  wonderful 
a  miracle  in  their  favor,  the  Lord  would  go  on  and 
protect  them,  and  victoriously  conduct  them  to  the 
promised  land. 

But  what  was  this  victory,  and  the  triumphant  hymn 
by  which  it  was  proclaimed,  in  comparison  with  that 
which  the  Lord  Jesus  obtained  for  us,  and  the  Alleluia 
which  resounded  through  the  lofty  dome  of  heaven 
when  Christ  arose  from  death?  It  was  not  one  army 
alone  which  He  defeated,  for  His  combat  was  waged 
with  the  devil  and  numberless  hosts  of  fallen  spirits. 
He  wrestled  against  these  united  powers — the  world, 
the  flesh ;  against  those  irregular  desires  which,  as  St. 
Paul  teaches,  have  dwelt  in  our  members  since  the  fall 
of  Adam,  and  whose  attacks  we  must  constantly  suf- 
fer. What  a  splendid  victory  we  have  gained  through 
Christ ! 

The  children  of  Israel  did  not  fight.  God  delivered 
them  miraculously.  Christ,  on  the  contrary,  fought 
and  was  victorious.  Therefore  the  merits  and  the  joy 
were  the  greater  on  account  of  His  dearly-bought 
triumph. 

The  peril  of  the  Israelites  was  great,  but  the  Lord 
delivered  them.  Alas !  the  dangers  of  salvation  which 
have  encompassed  the  soul  since  the  fall  of  Adam,  and 


THIRD    SERMON.  357 

through  which  we  are  exposed  to  innumerable  tempta- 
tions and  individual  sins,  are  immeasurably  greater. 

But  Christ  has  come  to  the  rescue,  and  through  Him, 
the  Conqueror  Who  combats  with  and  in  us,  we  are 
enabled  to  trample  under  foot  those  dangers  and  burst 
the  bonds  of  sin, — even  as  our  Redeemer  burst  open 
the  bonds  of  the  grave  and  called  upon  us  to  trust  in 
Him  Who  had  vanquished  the  world. 

The  triumph  of  God's  chosen  people  delivered  them 
from  Egyptian  bondage  and  the  miseries  of  an  enslaved 
race  :  but  the  victory  of  Christ  rescued  us  from  the 
pains  of  hell  and  the  thralldom  of  Satan. 

The  hymn  entoned  by  them  as  they  stood  on  the 
shores  of  the  Red  Sea  was  a  hymn  of  joy  and  exulta- 
tion, because  they  knew  that  victory  would  lead  them 
to  a  fertile  and  lovely  country; — but  the  soft  ver- 
dure of  Canaan  was  also  dotted  with  graves.  The 
curse  of  original  sin  rested  also  on  Canaan:  "In 
the  sweat  of  thy  brow  shalt  thou  eat  thy  bread;" 
whereas  the  country  which  Christ  obtained  for  us  is 
heaven — an  eternity  of  delight,  God  Himself  our  fut- 
ure possession. 

The  triumph  of  the  children  of  Israel  was  for  one  na- 
tion only ;  the  victory  of  Christ  was  for  every  nation  on 
the  face  of  the  earth — for  the  eternal  salvation  of  ^// who 
are  of  good-will,  and  who  will  walk  in  this  world  follow- 
ing Christ  by  the  practise  of  those  virtues  which  are 
symbolized  by  the  manner  in  which  the  children  of 
Israel  left  Egypt  and  pursued  their  journey  to  Canaan. 

First,  they  must  kill  the  Paschal  lamb  and  sprinkle 


358  FEAST    OF    EASTER    MONDAY. 

their  doors  with  its  blood,  that  the  destroying  angel 
might  pass  them  by. — What  are  we  to  learn  from 
this  ?  Christian  souls,  if  you  seek  for  salvation,  you 
must  destroy  sin  in  your  hearts — blot  it  out  by  con- 
trition and  confession.  Reconcile  yourselves  with  your 
Creator  in  the  sacrament  of  Penance,  and  be  purified 
in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

The  children  of  Israel  were  commanded  to,  leave 
Egypt ;  and  you,  O  Christians,  if  you  would  celebrate 
Easter  in  heaven,  your  watch-word  must  be,  too, 
*'Away  from  Egypt!"  That  is,  you  must  avoid  sin 
and  its  occasions,  remembering  the  admonition  of 
Christ:  "  If  your  eye  scandalize  you,  pluck  it  out;  if 
your  hand  or  foot  scandalize  you,  cut  it  off."  In  other 
words,  if  not  your  eye,  your  hand  or  foot,  but  any  thing 
as  dear  and  precious,  would  be  to  you  an  occasion  of 
sin,  you  must  most  certainly  give  it  up. 

The  Israelites  partook  of  the  Paschal  lamb  standing 
and  in  haste,  as  if  to  set  out  on  a  long  journey.  If  you 
would  celebrate  Easter  with  Christ  in  heaven,  learn 
from  this  to  free  your  hearts  from  all  desire  of  pos- 
sessing the  goods  and  plunging  into  the  pleasures  of 
this  world.  Learn  to  stand,  and  not  to  sit;  that  is,  to 
fix  your  thoughts  on  heavenly  things,  and  to  keep  ever 
before  you  that  eternity  to  which  you  are  hastening. 
Learn  also  to  participate  even  in  the  innocent  enjoy- 
ments of  life,  as  if  expecting  to  be  summoned  away. 
Be  not  troubled  about  many  things,  nor  live  as  if  there 
were  no  other  world  than  this  one  in  which  Providence 
now  permits  us  to  live. 


THIRD    SERMON.  359 

The  shoes  indicate  a  life  of  determined  resolution 
and  unfaltering  piety,  while  the  staff  ^)\\Qki  the  Israel- 
ites held  in  their  hands  signifies  the  consciousness 
which  supports  us,  and  refers  our  every  action  to  God. 
One  thing  alone  is  necessary — to  serve  our  Creator 
and  work  out  our  salvation. 

Over  the  Israelites  hung  a  cloud  to  guide  them  on 
their  perilous  journey,  which  at  night  assumed  the 
form  of  a  pillar  of  fire  to  cast  light  on  their  way.  Over 
the  camp  of  the  Egyptians  it  threw  such  a  shadow  that 
it  was  completely  enveloped  in  darkness.  This  cloud 
signifies  the  word  of  divine  revelation,  the  word  of 
holy  faith  as  it  is  announced  to  us  by  the  Church ;  and 
it  matters  not  if  Lucifer,  with  all  the  powers  of  hell, 
the  temptations  of  the  flesh  and  the  seductions  of  the 
world  pursue  us,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  with  us. 

Christ  has  said  that  *'  No  one  can  snatch  those  from 

TMe  whom  the  Father  hath  intrusted  to  Me."  That  is, 

beloved  in  Christ,  those  who  avail  themselves  of  the 

spiritual  weapons  which  God  gives  through  the  Church 

to  all  her  members,  in  order  to  vanquish. 

Children  of  the  Church  !  if  we  in  spirit  listen  to  the 
joyous  strains  of  the  ''  Alleluia  "  which,  on  the  occasion 
of  the  victory  of  the  Risen  Jesus,  the  Church  entones, 
we  will  feel  encouraged  to  fight  the  battle  of  salvation 
as  did  millions  of  souls  who  have  already  gone  before 
us  with  the  sign  of  faith,  and  who  rest  in  Christ. 

Oh,  what  bliss  to  celebrate  with  Jesus,  His  blessed 
Mother,  and  the  whole  celestial  choir,  the  ''Feast  of 
glorious  Victory"  forever  in  Heaven! — Amen! 


FEAST  OF  THE  ASCENSION. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

"And  the  Lord  Jesus  was  taken  up  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right 
hand  of  God." — Mark  xvi,    19. 

THE  various  feasts  which  we,  as  children  of  the 
Church,  are  called  upon  to  celebrate  throughout 
the  year,  invite  us  to  consider,  with  special  attention, 
and,  as  it  were,  to  behold  in  spirit  the  mysteries  of 
which  that  tender  Mother  makes  mention  herself,  in 
so  solemn  a  manner  to  us  all. 

This  is  particularly  so  on  the  festival  of  to-day, 
which  commemorates  the  Ascension  of  Christ  inta 
heaven.  We  gaze  with  the  disciples  into  the  cloud- 
less sky  as  if  we  fain  would  pierce  the  secrets  of  the 
celestial  realm  beyond,  and  witness  the  entrance  of 
Christ  therein.  Then  the  thought  arises  within  us : 
**  O  happy  Apostles !  chosen  to  behold  the  Ascension 
of  the  Lord  ;  would  that  we  could  know  the  feelings 
which  filled  your  hearts  when  you  saw  Him  sur- 
rounded by  a  luminous  cloud,  disappear  from  view." 

Beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  I  will  tell  you :  Unspeak- 
able longing  after  heaven  took  possession  of  them  when 
they  beheld  their  beloved  Master    enter  therein.     The 

same  longing  should  also  fill  our  heart. 

(360) 


FIRST    SERMON.  36 1 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  heaven,  obtain  for  us  that  same 
longing  which  animated  your  immaculate  heart,  to 
follow  your  divine  Son  to  the  abode  of  eternal  bliss. 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God. 


As  I  have  already  said,  the  feelings  of  the  dis- 
ciples, as  they  stood  gazing  upon  Jesus  as  he  faded 
from  their  view,  were  concentrated  in  one  ardent 
desire  for  heaven,  to  be  and  remain  with  him  there 
forever. 

Yes ;  and  so  also  would  we  have  felt  had  we  been 
present  on  Mount  Olivet  with  Mary,  the  Apostles 
and  disciples,  when  Christ  raised  Himself  from  the 
ground,  blessed  them,  and,  soaring  aloft,  was  seen  no 
more. 

**Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why  stand  ye  looking  up  to 
heaven?"  was  the  question  put  to  them  by  the 
Angels;  and,  my  brethren,  had  I  been  present,  I 
would  have  said:  '*0  dear  Angels,  how  can  you  ask? 
for,  while  the  favored  few,  whom  Christ  selected  to 
witness  His  wondrous  ascension,  did  certainly  con- 
gratulate Jesus  upon  entering  His  eternal  home,  they 
also  sighed,  from  their  very  hearts,  '  O  that  we,  too, 
could  leave  this  earth,  to  be  and  remain  with  our  be- 
loved Saviour  in  heaven.'  " 

This  ardent  desire  is  the  more  important  because  it 
is  the  fundamental  condition  without  which  we  can  not 
follow  the  admonition  contained  in  the  succeeding 
words  spoken  by  the  angelic  messengers :  "  This  Jesus,. 


362  FEAST    OF    THE    ASCENSION. 

Who  is  taken  up  from  you,  so  shall  come  again/* 
He  will  exact  a  rigid  account  from  every  man  as  to 
whether  he  has  fulfilled  that  end  for  which  God  called 
him  into  existence,  redeemed  him,  and  permitted  him 
to  belong  to  the  kingdom  of  His  Church. 

Upon  the  eve  of  His  Ascension,  Christ  declared 
that  He  would  send  His  disciples  to  the  confines  of 
the  earth ;  and  that  they  might  be  better  enabled  to 
proclaim  His  word,  He  would  prepare  them  with  the 
strength  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  For  only  those  who 
combat  and  conquer,  who  work  for  and  with  Jesus, 
who  complete  the  work  on  earth  for  which  God  cre- 
ated them,  and  remain  faithful,  receive  a  beauteous 
crown  in  heaven. 

Besides  the  strength  God  the  Holy  Ghost  be- 
stows, that  divine  Spirit  also  implants  in  the  heart 
another  disposition — a  longing  to  accomplish  some- 
thing for  God.  This  is  confirmed  by  numerous  ex- 
amples of  heroic  actions,  performed  by  those  who,  de- 
voting their  lives  to  sanctity,  listened  to  and  acted 
upon  the  inspirations  of  that  divine  Spirit.  What 
wonderful  things  have  been  accomplished,  even  ac- 
cording to  the  testimony  of  our  own  experience,  at 
the  price  of  innumerable  sacrifices  and  hardships, 
from  the  impulse  and  through  the  strength  of  this 
ardent  desire !  This  has  also  its  perfect  application  in 
the  great  affair  of  salvation. 

Whoever  meditates  as  he  should  upon  heaven,  feels 
strong  enough  to  labor,  to  struggle,  and  to  suffer  for 
it,  in  faithful  perseverance,  unto  the  end.    And  what 


FIRST   SERMON.  363 

should  be  more  easy  than  for  every  faithful  child  of 
the  Church  to  excite  in  his  heart  this  longing  desire? 
Consider  how  many  and  what  powerful  motives  there 
are  to  increase  it  therein !  Let  us  devote  some  mo- 
ments to  these  considerations;  and  with  the  divine 
blessing,  even  as  the  words  fall  from  my  lips,  this  de- 
sire for  heaven  will  arise  and  increase  in  our  hearts. 

Behold,  in  spirit,  Christ  ascending  to  heaven,  and 
say,  within  yourselves.  Dear  Jesus,  where  are  you  go- 
ing?   O  beautiful  country  !  how  I  sigh  after  thee. 

Here  is  the  land  of  our  exile;  there,  our  eternal 
home. 

Here  are  hunger  and  thirst;  there,  an  excess  of 
delight. 

Here,  lamentation  and  wailing ;  there,  the  security 
of  bliss. 

Here  is  poverty  and  nakedness ;  there,  the  glorious 
vesture  of  heaven,  decorated  with  the  diamonds  of 
merit,  acquired  by  our  good  works  upon  earth. 
Here  we  have  no  lasting  dwelling;  there,  when  the 
Christian  enters  upon  the  reward  of  a  well-spent  life, 
he  can  exclaim:  ''Heaven  is  mine;  all  is  mine;  I 
enter  the  dwelling  which  Jesus  prepared  for  me,  and 
ascend  a  royal  throne,  whereon  I  will  be  crowned 
with  a  radiant  diadem  forever." 

Here  there  is  a  never-ceasing  sound  of  wailing,  as 
human  hearts  grow  faint  with  the  burden  of  sorrow ; 
there,  in  heaven,  the  eternal  Alleluia  resounds,  and 
never  for  one   moment  does   the   celestial  music  of 

angelic  voices  cease. 

24 


364  FEAST    OF    THE    ASCENSION. 

Here  is  the  labor;  there,  rest  and  quiet — the  re- 
ward ;  and  O  what  a  reward !  Eye  hath  not  seen, 
nor  ear  heard;  nor  hath  it  ever  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man  to  conceive  what  God  hath  prepared 
for  those  who  love  Him. 

Here  we  must  endure  mortification  and  persecu- 
tion; there,  we  shall  enjoy  a  peace  which  passeth  all 
understanding. 

Here  we  are  subject  to  temptations;  there,  no 
thought  of  evil  can  come. 

Here  it  is  constant  struggle;  there,  is  the  triumph 
attained. 

Here  the  world,  and  those  who  are  of  the  world, 
strive  only  for  the  possession  of  creatures ;  there,  the 
sole  desire  of  the  blessed  is  to  see  and  possess  God 
Himself  in  His  infinite  perfection  and  beatitude. 

Here  a  shadow  rests  upon  our  brightest  hours, — 
the  thought  of  the  impending  separation  from  our 
loved  ones  by  death ;  there,  neither  sorrow  nor  death 
can  enter;  and  the  union  among  the  blessed  and 
with  God  will  be  eternal. 

Blessed  Egidius!  when  we  think  of  these  striking 
contrasts,  we  can  not  wonder  that  the  very  mention 
of  heaven — ''Paradise'' — threw  your  soul  into  an 
ecstatic  state,  while  your  ardent  desire  after  its  joys 
raised  your  body  from  the  ground  as  if  your  spirit 
longed  to  soar. 

Yes,  beautiful  Heaven !  the  ardent  desire  of  my 
heart,  who  will  give  me  wings  like  a  dove,  to  fly  from 
this  valley  of  tears,  and  rest  on  the  mountain  of  bliss  ? 


FIRST    SERMON.  365 

But  this  necessitates  labor,  struggling,  suffering. 
And  what,  beloved  in  Christ,  will  make  this  suffering 
light?  what  but  this  ardent  desire  of  heaven ! 

See  the  laborer  as  he  goes  forth  to  his  daily  toil, 
willing  to  endure  all,  and  leave  himself  no  rest,  for 
he  knows  that  the  more  diligently  he  works,  the 
greater  will  be  his  gain.  And  daily  experience  proves, 
that  it  is  the  same  in  every  walk  of  life;  yet  how 
poor  and  trifling,  how  infinitely  small,  is  the  richest 
guerdon  which  the  world  can  give  compared  to  the 
reward  which  awaits  us  in  heaven  for  every  meritori- 
ous work  performed  by  us  on  earth.  How  w^orthless 
should  the  world's  rewards  appear  when  we  think 
how  soon  they  pass  away!  How  infinitely  great 
should  we  deem  the  ones  which  never,  never  end! 
How  brave  and  determined  the  warrior  who  knows 
that,  if  he  return  from  the  conflict  with  the  laurel 
wreath  of  victory,  his  fortune  i^  assured!  How  will- 
ingly he  risks  that  life,  which  is  to  him  so  precious, 
for  the  hope  of  a  possible  reward.  How  bravely, 
therefore,  my  dearest  Christians,  should  not  you  be 
able  to  combat,  having  in  view  the  hope  of  Heaven — 
the  crown  of  eternal  victory! 

Men  have  borne,  with  the  greatest  patience,  the 
most  painful  operations,  with  a  view  to  saving  life  or 
limb.  Strive,  therefore,  to  bear  with  patience  the  sor- 
rows and  trials  of  earth,  to  save  your  immortal  souls. 
Oh,  let  us  never  forget  the  heaven  which  may  be  all 
our  own!  Let  us  think  of  it,  not  only  while  we 
celebrate    this    glorious    festival,    but    long    after    it 


366  FEAST    OF    THE    ASCENSION. 

has  passed  away,  that  we  may  so  live  that,  when 
we  close  our  eyes  to  earthly  things,  we  may,  with- 
out delay,  ascend  to  that  bright  and  glorious  home 
to  dwell  with  Christ  in  Heaven  for  evermore. — 
Amen. 


SECOND    SERMON.  367 


SECOND  SERMON. 

"They  going  forth  preached  every-where,  and  the  Lord  working  withal, 
-confirming  the  word  with  signs  that  followed." — Mark  xvi,  20. 

JESUS  had  entered  into  glory,  and  still  the  disci- 
ples remained  spell-bound,  gazing  after  Him  with 
irrepressible  yearning  to  follow  Him  to  that  heavenly 
home,  whither  He  went  to  prepare  a  dwelling  for  the 
souls  He  had  redeemed. 

Suddenly,  as  the  Evangelist  St.  Luke  relates,  there 
appeared  to  the  Apostles  two  Angels  clad  in  white 
robes  of  golden  glory,  who  thus  addressed  them :  ''  Ye 
men  of  Galilee,  why  stand  you  looking  up  to  heaven  ? 
This  Jesus,  who  is  taken  up  from  you  into  heaven, 
shall  so  come,  as  you  have  seen  Him  going  into 
heaven."  This  is  the  explanation  of  the  above:  "As 
surely  as  you  have  witnessed  the  departure  of  your 
blessed  Saviour,  so  surely  will  He  come  again.  He 
will  come  not  in  His  humiliation,  but  in  the  full  splen- 
dor of  His  incomparable  Majesty,  to  you,  as  well  as  to 
the  whole  world." 

Jesus  raised  Himself  on  high  and  entered  heaven  as 
Conqueror  over  death  and  hell;  and  once  again  He 
will  come,  not  as  Reconciler,  but  as  Judge.  Can  we 
endure  the  penetrating  glance  of  His  all-seeing  eye; 
that  eye  which  will,  as  it  were,  search  into  the  very 
marrow  of  our  souls  ?  It  depends  very  much  upon  our- 
selves. 

Jfw(^  have  during  life  been  disposed  as  were  the  dis- 


S6S  FEAST    OF    THE    ASCENSION. 

ciples  on  Mount  Olivet  on  Ascension-day,  there  will 
be  no  terror  for  us  in  the  coming  of  Christ  at  the  end 
of  the  world. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  angels,  to  whom  it  was  granted 
to  be  assumed  body  and  soul  into  heaven,  and  to  sit 
enthroned  at  the  right  hand  of  your  divine  Son,  bless 
and  protect  us,  that  we  may  one  day  behold  the  bliss 
of  heaven ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  of  God  ! 


Deep  in  the  human  heart  there  lingers  sweet 
hope  of  ascending  at  last  to  heaven.  There  is 
scarce  a  sinner,  be  he  ever  so  abandoned,  that  does 
not  cherish  the  hope  that  by  some  unlooked-for  grace 
he  will  behold  his  glorified  Saviour.  It  is  true  that  sin- 
cere, even  if  tardy,  repentance  can  win  forgiveness  for 
any  crime,  no  matter  how  great ;  yet  we  must  not  ex- 
pect to  be  called  by  wonderful  ways  ;  but,  to  insure 
to  ourselves  the  eventual  possession  of  that  exquisite 
bliss,  we  must,  during  our  whole  lives,  look  up  to 
heaven  with  affections  similar  to  those  of  the  disciples 
as  they  looked  after  Jesus  when  He  soared  aloft  be- 
yond the  skies.  It  was,  above  all,  the  wish  to  enter 
heaven  with  Him  which  animated  them  when  they, 
after  He  had  disappeared  from  their  view,  stood  spell- 
bound, looking  up  as  if  tliey  could  still  behold  His  be- 
loved face.  I  have  already  touched  upon  this  disposi- 
tion of  ardent  desire,   but  after   the    address  of  the 


SECOND    SERMON.  369 

angels  there  were  other  affections  which  deeply  moved 
their  hearts. 

First,  they  congratulated  Jesus  upon  His  entrance 
into  glory.  In  proportion  to  the  compassion  with  which 
His  humiliation  and  bitter  sufferings  had  inspired 
them,  they  now  rejoiced ;  and  repressing  their  grief 
at  His  departure,  felicitated  Him  upon  having  as- 
cended to  heaven.         ^ 

They  stood  upon  Mount  Olivet,  that  spot  so  rich  in 
sacred  memories, — that  spot  where  the  agony  of  the 
Son  of  God  forced  blood  from  His  pores.  Their  feet 
touched  the  ground  once  moistened  by  that  precious 
blood  ;  and  with  these  thoughts  welling  up  in  their 
hearts,  they  might  well  exclaim:  '*  According  to  the 
afflictions  of  my  heart,  consolations  have  rejoiced  my 
§oul." 

The  disciples  rejoiced  with  Jesus,  especially  at  the 
assurance  He  gave  them:  '*  I  go  to  prepare  for  you 
a  lasting  dwelling,"  and  now  they  perceived  more 
clearly  than  ever  the  grand  and  majestic  character  of 
the  happiness  which  had  been  conferred  upon  them, 
of  beholding  the  incarnate  Son  of  God, — that  happi- 
ness after  which  Abraham  and  the  prophets  had  so 
ardently  longed, — yet  which  they  were  not  permitted 
to  enjoy,  with  the  exception  of  Moses  and  Elias. 

They  now  understood  the  favor  which  had  been 
meted  out  to  them,  and  blessed  the  Saviour  that  they 
had  received  from  His  lips  the  word  of  salvation;  that 
they  had  walked  by  His  side,  and  had  had  constant  per- 
sonal intercourse  with  Him.    They  thanked  Him  with 


370  FEAST    OF    THE    ASCENSION. 

the  most  intense  fervor  of  heart  for  their  call  to  the 
true  faith,  and  for  their  election,  according  to  the  Sav- 
iour's promise,  to  proclaim  the  word  of  life  to  the 
very  extremities  of  the  earth,  and  to  distribute  to  the 
children  of  men  the  treasures  of  the  Redemption,  by 
propagating  the  true  Church  to  which  had  been  be- 
queathed such  fruitful  means  of  salvation. 

And  it  was  not  merely  sensible  affections  of  the 
heart  which  so  deeply  moved  them  ;  for  they,  at  the 
same  time,  made  firm  resolutions,  with  the  assistance 
of  divine  grace,  to  fulfill  their  calling  faithfully,  and  to 
obey  the  precept  which  had  been  given  them,  to  await 
at  Jerusalem,  in  prayer,  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
the  Paraclete.  And  this,  my  brethren,  should  be  the 
disposition  of  our  hearts  upon  this  glorious  day. 

Let  us  exult  and  praise  the  Lord  for  His  Majesty; 
for  if  we  love  Jesus  more  than  ourselves,  we  should 
rejoice  at  His  Ascension  to  such  a  kingdom  of  delight. 
What  exultation  must  expand  the  heart  of  the  Chris- 
tian who  really  loves  Him,  as  he  recalls  to-day  the 
words  of  the  psalm  which  prophetically  describes  the 
Ascension  of  Christ:  "Be^ye  lifted  up,  O  eternal 
gates,  for  the  King  of  Glory  approaches !  "  and  behold 
in  spirit  the  myriads  of  Angels  coming  from  heaven 
to  meet  him,  entoning  the  Alleluia  of  victory  before 
the  Lord. 

We  should  also  imitate  the  Apostles  and  disciples 
in  their  gratitude ;  for  if  we  reflect  that  we  have  been 
called  to  the  true  faith  through  no  merit  of  our  own,, 
while  the  souls  of  millions  who  might  have  responded 


SECOND    SERMON.  371 

more  fully  to  the  grace  of  God,  and  availed  themselves 
more  frequently  of  the  means  provided  by  Him  to  help 
us  on  our  heavenward  way,  are  left  in  the  darkness  of 
error.  What  cause  for  thankfulness  is  the  certainty 
that  we  are  on  the  right  path  to  salvation,  and  that  if 
we  really  wish  to  attain  it,  we  can  do  so  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  We  should  also  thank  God  that  we, 
as  children  of  the  true  Church,  may  lead  other  souls 
thereto,  and  thus  propagate  His  kingdom.  There  is 
no  other  way  to  heaven  than  that  which  Jesus  trod, 
the  way  of  struggle,  labor,  and  toil, — of  self-denial, 
mortification,  and  tears — no  other  way,  in  short,  than 
the  royal  road  of  the  holy  a^oss. 

But  heaven  is  worth  it  all,  and  when  well  nigh  faint- 
ing in  the  conflict,  the  Christian  should  think  of  the 
Saviour,  Who,  in  His  painful  walk  to  Calvary,  faltered 
and  fell  three  times;  and,  taking  courage,  exclaim 
with  St.  Paul :  ''  I  can  do  all  in  Him  who  strength- 
ens me."  The  same  Holy  Ghost,  promised  and  sent 
by  Christ  to  His  Apostles  and  disciples;  He  has,  ac- 
cording to  St.  John,  promised  to  us  also  ;  and  He  will 
send  Him  if  we,  by  zealous  and  fervent  prayer,  pre- 
pare our  hearts  for  His  reception.  The  Apostles  and 
their  companions  at  Jerusalem  did  so. 

And  after  that  happy  event  they  immediately  or- 
dained deacons  for  the  service  of  the  Church,  that 
they  might  themselves  have  more  time  for  prayer  and 
union  with  God. 

Let  us,  then,  beloved  in  Christ,  imitate  their  exam- 
ple, by  an  increase  of  zeal  in  prayer,  as  we  celebrate 


372  FEAST    OF    THE    ASCENSION. 

this  festive  day.  Let  us,  in  spirit,  place  ourselves  in 
their  midst,  and  imagine  the  deep  emotion  with  which 
we  would  have  fallen  at  the  feet  of  Christ  and  em- 
braced them,  had  we  been  witnesses  of  this  happy 
meeting  between  Him  and  His  holy  Mother,  and  faith- 
ful friends.  With  what  ardor  we  would  have  implored 
Him  to  remember  us  before  His  Father  in  heaven, 
and  promised  to  do  His  holy  will  in  all  things,  that 
we  might  one  day  follow  Him  to  the  realms  of  ever- 
lasting bliss. 

If  we  possess  these  affections,  and  fulfill  the  reso- 
lutions arising  therefrom ;  if  we  think  constantly  of 
heaven,  and  live  only  for  it,  then  most  assuredly  will 
we  courageously  combat  those  enemies  who  would 
fain  deprive  us  of  its  celestial  joys ;  and  having  borne 
the  cross  on  earth,  we  shall  wear  an  eternal  crown 
above. — Amen! 


THIRD    SERMON.  373 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"And  He  was  taken  up  to  heaven." — Mark  xvi,  19. 

BELOVED  in  Christ,  as  often  as  we  think  of  the 
Ascension  of  our  Lord  a  shadow  falls  upon  our 
hearts,  because  the  Church  has  been  deprived  of  His 
visible  presence. 

"Your  hearts  are  troubled,"  said  Christ  to  His  dis- 
ciples, "for  I  have  told  you  that  I  would  leave  you  ; 
but  be  consoled,  for  I  will  soon  come  again."  And 
this  is  indeed  the  way  in  which  we  always  seek  to 
console  ourselves  at  parting  with  those  we  fondly 
love:  ''We  soon  shall  meet  again." 

Our  hearts,  too,  like  those  of  the  disciples,  feel 
deeply  grieved  to  think  that  Jesus  left  us  behmd.  We 
feel  that  to  have  had  Him  here  in  person  would  have 
been  a  most  precious  boon.  But  still  there  is  solace 
in  the  thought:  "It  will  not  last  forever,  for  we  will 
live  so  as  to  meet  Him  again,  to  be  united  with  Him 
forever." 

There  is  another  source  of  consolation  still,  and 
that  is  the  sublime  and  incomprehensible  truth  that, 
although  He  left  us.  He  still  remains  in  our  midst. 
"  I  go,  yet  remain  with  you,"  He  said  to  His  disci- 
ples, and,  through  them,  to  all  who  believe  in  Him, 
hope  in  Him,  and  love  Him  to  the  end  of  time. 

Jesus  abides  now  personally  in  Heaven  in  all  His 
majesty  and  glory,  seated  at  the  right  hand  of  His 
Father. 


374  FEAST   OF    THE    ASCENSION. 

But  at  the  same  time,  although  hidden  under  the 
mystic  vails  of  bread  and  wine,  He  abides  with  us  in 
Person  on  earth,  and,  by  the  ineffable  sweetness  of  His 
presence,  transforms  this  earth,  for  those  who  love  Him, 
into  a  Paradise  of  delights, 

0  Mary,  to  whom  the  angel  said,  *'  The  Lord  is  with 
thee,"  obtain  for  us  the  grace  to  dwell  in  the  most  in- 
timate union  with  thy  divine  Son,  that,  while  still  on 
earth,  we  may  once  taste  His  blisS  in  Heaven ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


Jesus  has  ascended  into  heaven,  and  yet  He  remains 
with  us,  first,  as  Head  of  the  Church.  She  is  His 
mystical  body,  as  we  are  assured  by  the  Apostles 
and  by  the  testimony  of  the  Fathers. 

Christ  Himself  refers  to  His  spiritual  presence  on 
earth  in  His  holy  Church,  where,  at  the  conclusion 
of  the  Gospel  of  St.  Matthew,  He  says:  ''Behold,  I 
am  with  you  all  days,  even  to  the  consummation  of 
the  world."  The  certainty  of  this  should  dispel  the 
shadow  which  fell  upon  all  those  devoted  to  Jesus 
when  He  ascended  to  heaven,  even  though  we  might 
think  that,  had  He  remained  with  us  in  His  visible 
presence,  we  could  the  more  easily  have  worked  out 
our  salvation  ;  for  there  is  an  illusion  in  this.  Christ  in 
heaven  is  equally  aware  of  our  many  wants,  and  knows 
fully  as  well  the  warfare  in  which  we  must  constantly  en- 
gage ;  He  knows  the  many  snares,  laid  by  His  enemy 


THIRD    SERMON.  375 

and  ours,  to  surprise  us  into  some  sin,  the  commission 
of  which  would  give  us  over  to  the  power  of  the  devil. 
Christ  in  heaven  knows  the  sorrows  that  encompass 
us,  the  desolation  that  so  often  overshadows  our  lives, 
the  uncertainty  we  feel  in  regard  to  our  eternal  fate. 
He  knows  it  all,  and  He  is  waiting  to  help  us. 

**  All  power  is  given  to  Me  in  heaven  and  on  earth." 
So  Christ  has  most  solemnly  assured  us,  and  He 
has  also  told  us  of  the  great  benefit  which  His 
Ascension  would  confer  upon  man.  *'  I  will  send 
you  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Spirit  of  consolation,  the 
Spirit  of  truth,  the  Spirit  of  strength,  to  remain  with 
you  forever."  A  twofold — a  threefold  source  of 
grace  for  the  sanctification  and  deliverance  of  your 
souls  shall  be  poured  upon  you  after  My  Ascension, 
through  God  the  Father,  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
through  Me,  the  eternal  Son,  your  Redeemer.  I 
am  the  Source  whence  the  prayers  you  pour  forth 
to  God  obtain  their  victorious  power, — through  Whom 
the  offering  on  your  altars  so  infinitely  glorifies  the 
Triune  God, — through  Whom  the  holy  Sacraments 
receive  the  grace  which  they  impart  to  the  soul. 

To  this  invisible  presence  of  Christ,  which  sancti- 
fies, directs,  and  fortifies,  are  to  be  referred  the  words 
of  St.  Augustine  when  he  declares  that  it  is  properly 
Christ  Himself  Who  distributes,  through  His  priests, 
graces  and  spiritual  favors  to  us.  He  says:  "Peter 
baptizes,  Paul  baptizes,  Judas  baptizes,  but  Christ  bap- 
tizes in  them."* 

Behold,  therefore,  the  wonderful  power,  the  mighty 


^Y6  feast  of  the  ascension. 

effects  of  Christ's  presence  on  earth,  although  visibly 
He  is  throned  only  in  heaven,  and  we  do  not  behold 
Him  with  our  corporeal  eyes. 

I  will  illustrate  this  by  a  comparison,  and  say,  al- 
though a  person  in  power,  upon  whom  we  depend 
for  help,  may  live  in  a  far-off  land,  this  will  not  in- 
terfere with  his  power  to  aid.  Nay,  if  we  can  commu- 
nicate with  him,  ask  advice,  and  beg  his  assistance,  it 
is  the  same  as  if  he  lived  near  by.  This  is  especially 
so  if  he  is  able  and  willing  to  aid  and  grant  our  re- 
quest.— Thus  it  is  with  Christ  as  the  life-giving  Head 
of  the  Church  on  earth.  At  one  time  He  preached 
and  ministered  only  in  Palestine,  but  now  His  mission 
extends  over  the  whole  world  by  the  promulgation  of 
His  doctrine  and  the  administration  of  graces  by  means 
of  the  sacerdotal  office,  which  will  remain  in  the  Church 
until  the  end  of  time. 

Yes,  Christ  indeed  ascended  to  heaven,  but,  never- 
theless, He  is  still  on  earth  personally,  and  He  will 
remain  unto  the  end  of  time  ;  but  in  a  more  intimate 
and  essential  union  than  if  He  had  stayed  with  us  in 
a  visible  manner.  He  might  indeed  have  said:  ''Let 
Me  go  hence,  for  you  will  be  more  blessed  by  My  in- 
visible presence  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  which  all 
my  faithful  children  can  receive." 

Yes,  beloved  in  tke  Lord  Jesus,  Christ  is  as  truly 
and  essentially  present  in  body  and  soul,  divinity  and 
humanity,  and  that  for  our  blessing  and  salvation,  as 
He  is  present  on  the  throne  of  His  glory  in  heaven. 
He  prayed  always  for  us  while  He  lived  on  earth,  ^nd 


THIRD    SERMON.  2ill 

now  from  His  little  abode,  the  tabernacle,  His  prayer 
forever  ascends  to  his  heavenly  Father  for  the  souls 
He  has  redeemed. 

There  was  but  one  occasion  on  which  Christ  visibly 
offered  the  holy  sacrifice  of  thfe  Mass.  Now,  really 
present  in  the  Eucharist,  the  clean  oblation  is  offered 
by  His  ministers  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  to  the  go- 
ing down  of  the  same  ;  and  that  not  once,  but  by  num- 
berless priests,  over  the  whole  globe  often  at  one  and 
the  same  time. 

While  on  earth  Jesus  bestowed  Himself  but  once 
on  His  disciples  in  Holy  Communion  ;  while  now  the 
numbers  who  receive  Him,  and  the  times  they  are  so 
favored,  can  scarcely  be  reckoned.  Every  Christian 
who  knows  what  happiness  it  is  to  have  his  Lord 
really  present  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament  as  offered  up 
in  the  Mass,  and  as  received  by  the  faithful,  and  avails 
himself  of  the  privilege  with  the  love  and  fervor  of  St. 
John — who  abides  with  Him  by  visiting  and  receiving 
the  Holy  Eucharist — will  feel  the  truth  of  what  St. 
Teresa  said  when  she  appeared  to  one  of  her  spiritual 
daughters  :  *'0  my  child,  what  have  we  in  heaven  of 
which  you  have  not  already  here  the  foretaste  through 
the  presence  of  Christ  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  of 
the  altar?" 

In  conclusion,  although  visibly  taken  up  to  heaven, 
yet  Christ  remains  among  us  on  earth,  in  our  hearts, 
if  we  can  say  with  truth:  "Jesus,  my  all,  my  only 
thought,  my  only  desire,  my  consolation,  my  strength 
and  delight,  my  God  and  my  all !  "   And  if  we  show  by 


^yS  FEAST    OF    THE    ASCENSION. 

our  lives  that  we  wish  nothing  so  much  as  to  fulfill 
the  holy  will  of  God,  then,  my  dear  brethren,  that 
solemn  promise,  '*  I  and  the  Father  will  come  and 
abide  with  him,"  will  be  fulfilled  in  us. 

If  this  be  so,  oh,  then  the  arid  desert  of  life  will 
change  for  us,  through  this  invisible  presence  of 
Christ,  into  a  Paradise  of  joys,  where  we  will  have 
no  reason  to  mourn  that  He  has  left  us ;  but  rather^ 
according  to  His  own  assurance,  to  rejoice ! 

What  though  for  a  few  brief  years  we  are  deprived 
of  the  privilege  of  beholding  Christ  on  earth ;  we  can 
enjoy  His  rea/  presence  by  a  loving  intercourse  with 
Him  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament ! 

This  intimate  union  will  enable  us  to  amass  such 
treasures  of  merit  that  we  shall  one  day  taste  the 
sweets  of  the  divine  beatitude  in  a  more  superabun- 
dant measure,  united  through  Him  with  God  the  Fa- 
ther, God  the  Holy  Ghost,  with  Mary,  and  all  the 
saints. — Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  PENTECOST  SUNDAY. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

••  And  they  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost." — Acts  ii,  4. 

A  ND  He  commanded  that  they  should  not  de- 
l\  part  from  Jerusalem;  but  should  wait  for  the 
promise  of  the  Father,  which  you  have  heard,"  said 
He,  **by  My  mouth,  that  you  may  give  testimony  of 
Me,  even  to  the  uttermost  bounds  of  the  earth." 
Thus  runs  the  admonition  of  the  Lord  before  His 
ascension.    (Acts  i,  4-8.) 

The  Apostles,  therefore,  with  Mary,  the  Mother  of 
Jesus,  and  many  of  His  disciples,  obeying  the  com- 
mand of  Christ,  remained  at  Jerusalem,  united  in 
prayer;  and,  behold,  after  ten  days,  the  promise  of 
Christ  was  fulfilled :  **  Suddenly  there  came  a  sound 
from  heaven,  as  of  a  mighty  wind,  and  it  filled  the 
whole  house  where  they  were  sitting;  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  came  down  upon  them  in  the  form  of  fiery 
tongues,  and  sat  upon  every  one  of  them." 

Then  did  this  Spirit  of  light  replenish  their  souls 
with  knowledge,  power,  and  love ;  and  enrich  them 
with  His  sevenfold  gifts.    St.  Paul  says  of  himself, 

25  (370) 


380  FEAST    OF    PENTECOST    SUNDAY. 

that  the  same  Lord  Who  decreed  that  there  should 
be  light,  caused  the  light  of  knowledge  in  holy  faith 
to  irradiate  his  soul;  and  so  it  was  with  the  disciples 
assembled  at  Jerusalem.  Their  understanding  seemed 
darkened;  they  were  faint-hearted  and  timid  since 
the  ascension  of  Him  Who  was  at  once  their  Lord, 
their  Saviour,  and  beloved  Friend.  They  remained  se- 
cluded— ''behind  bolt  and  bar," — not  daring  to  ap- 
pear in  public ;  but,  lo !  that  fear  suddenly  vanished, 
for  seven  new  and  most  precious  gifts  were  bestowed 
upon  them. 

^  With  unfaltering  courage  they  went  forth  to  pro- 
claim the  truths  of  Christianity,  and  to  preach  "Christ 
crucified "  to  the  same  people  who  had  been  guilty 
of  His  death  upon  the  cross ;  and  the  grace  of  God 
touched  the  hearts  of  that  vast  multitude,  as  they  list- 
ened, with  rapt  attentiouy  to  their  Inspired  words. 
Thousands  were  converted  on  the  spot ;  and  the 
Church  celebrated  her  birthday  on  earth,  and  ex- 
tended her  mission,  from  that  very  day,  to  the  utmost 
limits  of  the  globe. 

There  can  be  no  greater  happiness  on  earth,  be- 
loved in  Christ,  than  the  privilege  of  belonging  to  the 
true  Church — the  only  one  In  which  salvation  is  to  be 
found.  But  mere  external  membership  will  not  confer 
it  upon  us.  We  must  become  living  temples  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  letting  our  faith  shine  forth  in  our  lives 
with  a  luster  so  brilliant  that  it  will  attract  number- 
less souls  to  the  fold  of  Christ.  The  seven  gifts,  with 
which  the  Holy  Ghost  enriches  all  who  worthily  re- 


FIRST    SERMON.  38 1 

ceive  the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation,  will  produce  this 
effect  in  our  souls. 

Let  us  consider  to  day  in  what  essentially  consists 
each  one  of  these,  and  see  in  what  manner  they  influ- 
ence the  tcninterrupted  duration  of  the  kingdom  of  God 
in  our  souls. 

0  Mary,  obtain  for  us,  from  the  Holy  Ghost,  thy 
divine  Spouse,  the  grace  to  retain  in  our  hearts  the 
influence  of  His  sevenfold  gifts! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


St.  John   says:  ''Thus   spoke  Christ  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  whom  every  one    that  believes  in   Him  shall 


receive." 


The  miracle  which  God  vouchsafed  to  work  on  Pen- 
tecost Sunday,  namely,  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
upon  the  Apostles,  was  a  peculiar  grace  conferred  upon 
those  companions  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  was  also  the  extra- 
ordinary gift  of  speaking  in  divers  tongues,  and  pene- 
trating, with  prophetic  vision,  the  mysteries  of  the 
future.  Yes,  my  brethren,  these  were  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  indeed,  but  reserved  for  the  Apostles 
alone,  apart  from  those  sevenfold  gifts  which  that  di- 
vine Spirit  confers  upon  all  who  worthily  receive  the 
Sacrament  of  Confirmation.  Through  this  Spirit  of 
love,  the  Apostles  communicated  them  to  all  the  faith- 
ful, to  whom,  after  their  baptism,  they  administered 
this  Sacrament,  as  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  certify.   • 


382  FEAST  OF  PENTECOST  SUNDAY. 

What  are  the  effects  of  this  Sacrament  ?  It  strength- 
ens us  in  our  determination  to  belong  to  the  kingdom 
of  Christ — the  kingdom  of  God — the  Holy  Church  ;  to 
live  as  her  children  ;  to  propagate  the  faith  according 
to  our  strength  and  ability;  and  even,  should  God  re- 
quire it  of  us,  to  sacrifice  life  itself  rather  than  be  false 
to  its  teachings.  That  we  may  be  enabled  to  do  all 
this,  we  must  not  only  receive  the  Sacrament  of  Con- 
firmation exteriorly ;  but  the  graces  it  confers  must 
penetrate  to  the  very  depths  of  our  hearts. 

Let  us  consider  to-day  in  what  the  essence  of  each 
of  these  gifts  consists ;  and  we  will  arrive  at  a  clearer 
understanding  of  the  relation  which  each  one  of  them 
bears  toward  the  continuance  and  increase  of  the  king- 
dom of  God  in  our  hearts. 

The  first  gift — in  the  order  in  which  they  are  im- 
parted to  us — is  ''Fear  of  the  Lord''  which  so  dis- 
poses our  hearts  that  we  entertain  no  fear  whatever, 
except  of  God,  and  the  possibility  of  offending  that 
Divine  Being  by  sin.  This  gift  implies  a  heart  free  from 
sin  and  filled  with  a  true,  sincere,  and  effective  resolu- 
tion to  avoid  the  most  trivial  venial  sin  and  imperfection. 

When  this  gift  fills  our  hearts,  then  indeed  the 
kingdom  of  God  is  firmly  established  therein,  and  we 
are  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  But,  alas !  how  many 
there  are  who  receive  not  this  heavenly  gift  in  its  pleni- 
tude ;  who  waver  and  falter  in  the  service  of  God  ;  and 
who,  so  far  from  being  inspired  by  a  holy  fear  of  offend- 
ing Him,  rather  allow  the  fear  of  men,  or  human  re- 
spect, to  take  entire  control  of  their  actions. 


FIRST    SERMON.  2>^^ 

The  second  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  Piety,  which 
leads  us  to  a  state  of  perpetual  prayer,  so  that  we  not 
only  perform  our  prescribed  devotions  at  certain  times, 
but,  through  them,  become  united  in  so  intimate  a  man- 
ner with  God  that  we  walk  constantly  in  His  presence, 
and  live  so  that  the  salutation  of  the  angel  to  the  Im- 
maculate Virgin:  '*  The  Lord  is  with  thee,"  might  well 
be  applied  to  us. 

As  long  as  prayer  is  regarded  by  us  only  in  the  light 
of  an  obligation,  we  are  yet  very  imperfect  children 
of  God ;  but  if,  on  the  contrary,  we  find  it  an  absolute 
necessity — if  it  be  for  our  spirits,  what  breath  is  to  the 
body — then  is  the  kingdom  of  God  firm  in  our  hearts;, 
then  are  we  indeed  confirmed  in  the  service  of  our  Cre- 
ator, and  living  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  O  how 
many  are  there  who  waver  in  this  holy  service  !  The 
spirit  of  prayer  is  wanting  in  them ;  their  devotions 
bring  them  no  nearer  to  God,  whereas  they  should 
tend  to  promote  an  intimate  union  with  Him. 

The  third  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  Knowledge, 
through  which  we  become  versed  in  the  science  of 
salvation,  and  thoroughly  impressed  with  the  truth, 
that  the  great  affair  of  our  eternal  welfare  should 
first  rank  in  our  estimation ;  and  become  fully  resolved 
that  nothing  shall  prevent  the  permanent  establishment 
of  the  kingdom  of  God  in  our  hearts.  This  heavenly 
knowledge  renders  us  fully  alive  to  the  perils  which 
threaten  the  salvation  of  those  who,  while  living  in 
the  world,  strive  always,  according  to  the  spirit  of  the 
world,  to  possess  and  to  enjoy ;  and  this  always  in  an 


3^4  FEAST    OF    PENTECOST    SUNDAY. 

ever-increasing  degree,  and  for  as  long  a  time  as  pos- 
sible. 

Not  so  the  Christian  whose  soul,  enriched  by  God 
the  Holy  Ghost,  is  filled  with  this  holy  science.  He 
will  continually  have  in  view  the  warning  of  our  Lord : 
'*  What  doth  it  profit  a  man  to  gain  the  whole  world 
and  lose  his  own  soul  ? "  And  when  the  tempter 
places  before  him  some  favorite,  though  forbidden, 
pleasure,  or  paints  in  glowing  colors  the  joys  of  yield- 
ing to  some  darling  sin,  he  will  pause  and  ask  himself 
that  question,  Will  I  spurn  the  tempter  from  my  heart 
or  not? 

When  the  charms  of  earthly  pleasures  and  temporal 
enjoyments  were  held  up  to  St.  Aloysius,  by  those  who 
wished  to  make  him  waver  in  his  resolution  to  dedicate 
himself  to  God  in  the  religious  state,  he  would  silence 
them  by  asking:  ''  What  doth  it  profit  a  man  to  gain 
the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul?  " — Such  a  soul 
recognizes  the  value  of  time,  and  employs  it  accord- 
ingly, knowing  well  that  death,  which  is  most  surely 
approaching,  is  but  the  pathway  to  an  eternity,  which 
it  depends  upon  him  to  make  happy  or  miserable. 

The  Christian  who  entertains  such  sentiments  will 
remain  firm  and  unshaken  amid  the  tempests  of  life, 
and  may  feel  assured  that  the  kingdom  of  God  is  estab- 
lished in  his  heart.  But  by  far  the  greater  number  who 
call  themselves  children  of  the  one  true  Church,  and 
have  even  received  the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation, 
do  not  respond  to  the  dignity  of  their  vocation. 
Carried  away  entirely  by  the  affairs  of  the  world,  their 


FIRST    SERMON.  .  385 

only  anxiety  is  for  pleasure,  or  for  gain — for  the  things 
of  earth  which  pass  away. 

The  fou7^tk  gift,  with  which  we  are  favored  by  the 
munificence  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  CounseL  This 
gift  floods  the  soul  with  celestial  light  sufficient  to 
discern  what  is  pleasing  to  God  in  the  various  cir- 
cumstances of  life. 

It  guards  us  against  the  evil  of  seeking  advice  from 
vain  and  worldly  minds,  and  inspires  us  to  go  directly 
to  the  representatives  of  Christ  on  earth. 

The  life  of  the  Christian  who  receives  this  gift  is 
blessed  with  'that  peace  which  the  world  can  not 
give,  and,  God  reigning  in  his  heart  by  His  grace,  the 
divine  kingdom  is  firmly  established  therein. 

But  too  many  go  in  quest  of  advice  from  those 
who  are  filled  with  the  spirit  of  the  world,  and  who 
can  not  impart  what  they  do  not  possess ;  and  in- 
stead of  receiving  benefit,  the  petitioner  wavers  in 
the  service  of  God;  nay,  sometimes  abandons  it  en- 
tirely. 

The  fifth  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  Fortitude, 
which  enables  the  recipient  to  embrace,  and  bear 
patiently,  all  the  crosses  which  are  inseparable  from 
that  state  of  life,  to  which  he  has  been  called  by  the 
most  holy  will  of  God,  and  to  fulfill  the  duties  con- 
nected therewith,  in  spite  of  every  obstacle.  From 
this  gift  also  arises  that  disposition  which  inspires  the 
soul  with  an  esteem  for  tribulations,  a  love  of  suffer- 
ings, and  an  ardent  desire  to  bear  the  cross  for  the 
sake  of  Jesus  Christ.    Whoever  is  thus  disposed  may 


^S6  FEAST    OF    PENTECOST    SUNDAY. 

enjoy  the  blessed  assurance  that  the  kingdom  of  God 
is  confirmed  in  his  heart,  and  that,  by  a  faithful  cor- 
respondence with  divine  grace,  he  will  combat  val- 
iantly and  bear  away  the  palm  of  victory. 

Where,  however,  this  steadfast  love  of  sufferings 
through  love  of  Christ  exists  not,  the  prayer,  *'Thy 
kingdom  come,"  arises  not  as  much  from  the  heart, 
but  from  the  lips  only ;  and  the  kingdom  of  God  is 
often  endangered. 

The  szx^k  gift  which  the  Holy  Spirit  offers  us,  in 
the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation,  is  Understanding, 
which  enables  man  to  look  at,  and  judge  every  thing 
in  this  world,  through  the  light  of  holy  faith,  and  to 
live  accordingly.  In  this  way  his  confession  of  faith 
will  not  proceed  from  the  lips  only,  but  all  its  teach- 
ings will  appear,  in  a  manner  most  clear  and  distinct, 
to  his  spiritual  vision.  The  kingdom  of  God  is  truly 
and  firmly  established  in  that  blessed  soul,  and  grace 
will  constantly  increase  therein,  to  enable  her  to  W 
sist  all  the  attacks  of  the  infernal  enemy.  Then  will 
the  purity  of  her  intention  exalt  and  multiply  the 
merit  of  her  good  works  before  God. 

O  that  all  would  endeavor,  by  a  worthy  prepara- 
tion for  the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation,  to  receive 
this  gift  In  its  plenitude !    But  too  often  it  is  not  the  case. 

Finally,  the  seventh  gift  is  the  gift  of  Wisdom, 
which  is  essentially  the  gift  of  well-ordered  love  to 
God  and  our  neighbor,  by  which  the  Christian  finds 
his  delight  in  the  fulfillment  of  the  precept  which  en- 
joins upon  us  to  love  God  above  all,  and  our  neigh- 


FIRST   SERMON.  387 

bor  as  ourselves.  Of  such  love  it  is  written  that  it  is 
stronger  than  death.  It  induces  us  to  give  up  all 
earthly  joys  and  worldly  treasures  for  Christ's  dear 
sake ;  and  whoever  is  aware  of  possessing  it,  may 
well  exclaim,  with  St.  Paul:  "What  can  separate  us 
from  the  love  of  Christ?  Hunger,  misery,  poverty, 
death;  we  overcome  them  all  through  Him  whom  we 
love." 

But,  beloved  Christians,  when  every  portion  of  the 
heart  is  engrossed  by  self,  there  can  be  no  thought 
of  faithful  perseverance  amid  the  storms  and  tempta- 
tions of  life.  What  weighty  and  all-powerful  motives 
should  on  this  glorious  day,  the  birthday  of  our  Holy 
Church,  inspire  us  to  assemble  in  spirit,  with  the 
Mother  of  Jesus  and  the  holy  Apostles  and  disciples 
of  the  Lord,  as  they  awaited  the  descent  of  the  divine 
Spirit.  From  the  very  depths  of  our  hearts  let  us  cry 
out :  "  Come,  Holy  Ghost,  replenish  our  hearts  with 
Thy  love,  that  its  ardent  fire  may  animate  our  souls. 
Banish  therefrom  all  aversion  to  prayer,  and  that 
spirit  of  the  world  which  seeks  our  ruin.  Banish  from 
our  hearts  all  unrest,  faint-heartedness,  forgetfulness 
of  the  truths  of  faith  ;  above  all,  of  the  four  last  things 
which  await  us:  Death,  Judgment,  Heaven,  and  Hell. 
Cast  from  our  hearts  the  spirit  of  self-love,  and  lead 
us,  through  thy  sevenfold  gifts,  to  love  God  above 
all,  and  in  Him  all  whom  He  has  created  for  Himself; 
and  so  confirm  these  dispositions  in  our  hearts,  that 
we  may  become,  and  remain  Thy  living  temples,  sanc- 
tified through  thy  love  for  all  eternity." — Artien. 


388  FEAST   OF    PENTECOST    SUNDAY. 


SECOND  SERMON. 

*•  For  the  Prince  of  this  world  cometh,  and  in  Me  he  hath  not  any  thing." 
— John  xiv,  30. 

THE  Church  of  God,  the  kingdom  of  light,  celebrates 
to-day  the  feast  of  her  establishment  on  earth,  of 
her  birthday,  for  the  blessing  and  benefit  of  the  human 
race.  Although,  my  dear  brethren,  all  mankind  have 
been,  since  the  day  of  creation,  universally  called  to 
honor  God,  to  love  and  serve  Him,  and  He  has 
vouchsafed  to  them  messengers  to  lead  them  to 'the 
way  of  salvation,  there  is,  on  the  other  hand,  a  king- 
dom of  darkness  which  opposes  the  kingdom  of  light 
with  all  its  powers, — blinds,  and  endeavors  to  destroy 
souls,  and  makes  every  effort  to  propagate  the  king- 
dom of  evil. 

The  Prince  of  the  realm  of  light  is  Christ;  the  ruler 
of  the  region  of  darkness  is  Satan.  The  latter  is  fit- 
tingly styled  by  the  fathers,  the  *'  Ape  of  God;"  and 
daring  to  look  with  an  envious  eye  upon  "the  honor" 
which  belongs  to  the  Lord,  he  seeks  to  attract  a  sim- 
ilar homage  to  himself  Knowing  well  that  God  works 
in  the  most  efficacious  manner  to  attain  the  end  for 
which  He  created  man,  Satan  tries  to  imitate  Him  in 
His  plans,  not  for  the  welfare,  but  for  the  damnation 
of  souls. 

He  leaves  nothing  untried  to  accomplish  this  dar- 
ling project,  seeking  continually  new  victims  to  draw 


SECOND    SERMON.  389 

into  his  toils,  hardening  their  hearts,  and  leading  their 
souls  to  perdition. 

As  the  Holy  Ghost  seeks,  by  the  characteristic 
gifts  which  He  imparts,  to  confirm  the  good  in  all 
that  is  pure  and  holy ;  so  does  Satan  endeavor, 
through  gifts  of  an  entirely  opposite  nature,  to  con- 
firm the  bad  in  every  thing  vile  and  wicked. 

To-day  we  will  consider  this  diabolical  confirmation, 
and  the  seven  gifts  which  strengthen  those  who  receive 
it  in  every  thing  bad. 

0  Mary,  dearest  of  mothers,  obtain  for  us  grace  to 
secure  our  salvation  while  God  grants  us  time  for  "the 
work! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


**  But  the  sinner,  when  he  falls  into  the  depths,  de- 
spises." These  are  the  words  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
it  is  the  constant  aim  of  the  evil  one  to  drag  him  into 
such  fathomless  depths,  that  at  last  he  cares  not 
whether  he  is  saved  or  not.  Day  and  night  goes  about 
this  spirit  of  malice  seeking  whom  he  may  confirm  in 
malice.  Yet  do  not  lose  courage,  beloved  in  Christ! 
Even  though  he  should  induce  you  to  sin,  call  upon 
God,  repent,  and  you  can  regain  what  you  have  lost. 
But  to  prevent  this  the  devil  will  try  to  ruin  you  with 
his  seven  vile  gifts,  entirely  different  to  those  of  the 
spirit  of  light. 

The  first  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  fear  of  the  Lord, 


390         FEAST  OF  PENTECOST  SUNDAY. 

which  casts  out  all  other  fear,  save  that  of  offending 
God,  and  confirms  the  Christian  in  all  that  is  good, 
leads  him  on  to  the  practice  of  every  virtue,  and  brings 
him  at  last  to  eternal  life. 

Now,  what  course  does  Satan  pursue  to  confirm  and 
•  strengthen  the  sinner  in  malice  ?  He  first  seeks  to 
persuade  him  that  sin  is  only  a  pardonable  weakness : 
so  trifling  indeed,  that,  unless  temporal  loss  is  con- 
nected therewith,  it  is  not  worth  even  a  thought.  He 
fills  his  heart  with  human  respect,  so  that  a  craven 
fear  makes  him  prefer  displeasing  God,  to  offending 
man.  Woe  to  the  unhappy  beings  to  whom  Satan  be- 
stows this  disposition ;  for  they  are  confirmed  in  mal- 
ice and  sin! 

The  second  disposition  of  the  soul  which  leads  to. 
salvation  is  fervor  in  prayer,  union  with  God,  a  per- 
petual remembrance  of  His  holy  presence. 

Satan  strives  to  animate  the  soul  with  feelings  the 
very  reverse,  until  prayer  becomes  so  distasteful  to 
man,  that  at  last  he  entirely  neglects  it,  does  not  even 
think  of  God,  but,  like  an  irrational  animal,  goes 
through  the  world,  caring  only  for  the  companionship 
of  men  as  wicked,  or,  perhaps,  more  so  than  himself. 

Woe  to  the  wretch  who  lives  in  this  total  neglect  of 
prayer ;  for  he  is  confirmed  by  Satan  in  his  service 
probably  forever ! 

The  third  disposition  of  the  heart,  which  assures  us 
of  perseverance  in  virtue,  is  knowledge  ;  that  heavenly 
knowledge,  which  teaches  us  that  our  eternal  salva- 
tion, and  the  most  fitting  means  to  attain  it,  should 


SECOND    SERMON.  39 1 

be  kept  constantly  in  view,  as  the  most  important  and 
only  really  essential  affair  for  the  faithful  child  of  the 
Church  and  for  every  man  on  earth. 

But  Satan  seeks  to  ensnare  him  in  the  net  of 
earthly  desires  and  schemes,  even  as  the  spider  keeps 
the  fly  moving  its  little  feet  and  wings,  until  at  length 
it  can  move  them  no  more.  Men  thus  become  so  en- 
tangled in  worldly  affairs,  that  they  lose  power  to  act 
for  the  good  of  their  souls,  and  even  grow  spiritually 
blind  so  as  to  think  they  are  acting  a  most  wise  and 
prudent  part. 

Woe  to  that  sinner  who  is  thus  entangled  by  Satan, 
and  held  fast  in  the  thralldom  oi  temporal  cares ;  for 
he  will  be  dragged  hither  and  thither  at  the  will  of 
this  spirit  of  evil,  and  prevented  from  using  the  heav- 
enly means  by  which  he  might  escape  from  the  toils. 

The  fourth  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  confirm  and 
strengthen  us  in  good,  is  counsel.  It  so  disposes  the 
soul  that  the  recipient  can  discern  how  he  can  best 
labor,  not  only  for  his  own  salvation,  but  also  for  the 
welfare  of  others  ;  advising  them  how  to  advance  in 
the  science  of  the  saints.  But  Satan  is  a  rebellious 
spirit,  whose  delight  it  is  to  fish  in  troubled  waters. 
If,  thereby,  he  can  deprive  the  sinner  of  the  assist- 
ance of  divine  grace,  thus  rendering  him  confused  and 
helpless,  what  more  is  needed  to  confirm  him  in  sin  ? 
Think  of  Judas  !  When  Satan  took  possession  of  him, 
he  knew  no  more  what  to  do  ;  and  even  on  that  day 
when  Jesus  offered  Himself  for  the  salvation  of  man- 
kind, he  gave  way  to  the  blackest  despair. 


392         FEAST  OF  PENTECOST  SUNDAY. 

The  fifth  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  fortitude,  which 
enables  us  to  persevere  in  good  to  the  end.  Lucifer, 
on  his  part,  leaves  nothing  untried  to  shake  this  ce- 
lestial courage  which  inspires  the  Christian  with  the 
most  heroic  resolves  ;  he  seeks  to  turn  him  from  the 
path  of  right,  and  leads  him  to  abuse  the  graces  be- 
stowed upon  him  by  a  merciful  God.  When  the  sin- 
ner seeks  forgiveness  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance,  he 
tempts  him  to  relapse,  after  which  his  confirmation  in 
evil  is  easy.  Alas !  for  the  relapsing  sinner  who 
thinks  he  has  no  cause  for  fear,  because  he  has  con- 
fessed his  sins,  and  received  absolution  for  them! 
That  is  a  fatal  delusion,  which  will  lead  to  final  im- 
penitence. Constant  relapses  weaken  his  will,  and  con- 
firm him  forever  in  the  service  of  hell. 

The  sixth  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  which  the 
children  of  the  Church  are  confirmed  in  good,  is  that 
living  faith  by  which  man  is  not  satisfied  to  confess  his 
beUef  with  the  lips,  and  merely  through  habit,  or  to 
fulfill  his  religious  duties  because  he  has  been  so 
taught,  but  which  makes  him  do  it  from  an  inward 
consciousness  of  the  dignity  of  his  vocation  as  a  child 
of  God,  and  of  the  admonitions  of  that  divine  grace 
which  he  never  resists,  and  which  invites  him  to  lead 
the  life  of  a  zealous  Christian,  and  obtain  eternal  bliss. 

But  Satan  tries  to  weaken  the  influence  of  faith  upon 
the  life  of  man,  or  to  destroy  it  entirely.  He,  too, 
often  succeeds,  so  that  many,  who  exteriorly  lead  lives 
in  conformity  with  the  requirements  of  the  Church, 
give  themselves  no  trouble  as  to  how  they  stand  before 


SECOND    SERMON.  393 

God,  and  what  they  can  answer  on  the  day  of  terror 
and  doom  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ.  There, 
they  must  account  for  graces  neglected,  by  which,  if 
they  had  availed  themselves  of  them,  they  would  have 
attained  the  most  exquisite  joy  in  heaven. 

Alas  !  for  the  Catholic  whom  Satan  can  persuade 
\ki2X  faith  alone  is  sufficient  for  salvation  ;  that  because 
he  is  a  Catholic,  he  will  never  be  lost!  He  is  con- 
firmed by  the  spirit  of  darkness,  and  belongs  to  those 
of  whom  it  has  been  written:  "And  the  children  of 
the  house  will  be  cast  out." 

The  seventh  disposition,  by  infusing  which  into  the 
soul  the  Holy  Ghost  would  ensure  its  eternal  salva- 
tion, is  a  degree  of  divine  love  which  impels  us  to  love 
God  above  all,  and  to  ernbrace  all  mankind  in  a  truly 
fraternal  affection.  It  is  that  heavenly  wisdom  which 
is  a  pledge  of  final  perseverance  in  the  service  of  God. 

In  direct  opposition  to  this  the  ruler  of  the  kingdom 
of  darkness  tries  to  instill  into  the  heart  of  the  sinner 
disgust  and  indifference  to  God,  aversion  and  hate  to 
his  neighbor,  or,  perhaps,  fills  his  whole  being  with  a 
passion  so  vile,  that  he  commits  sins  of  the  most 
shameful  kind. 

Alas !  how  many  there  are  whom  Satan  thus  confirms 
in  his  service,  who,  chained  in  the  thralldom  of  lust, 
grow  too  weak  to  sever  the  bonds  of  some  unchaste 
attachment.  Yes,  strange  as  it-may^seem  when  we 
consider  the  weapons  with  which  God  has  provided 
us  in  the  combat  with  Satan — the  seven  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost — that  diabolical  spirit  too  often  steps  in 


394         FEAST  OF  PENTECOST  SUNDAY. 

with  his  seven  vile  gifts,  and  with  one  or  another,  so 
hardens  man's  heart,  that  there  is,  we  might  almost 
say,  no  means  of  bringing  him  back. 

The  enemies  of  Christ  beheld  Him  call  Lazarus  forth 
from  the  grave,  and  yet  at  the  question:  "  What  shall 
we  do,  for  this  man  worketh  many  miracles?'*  the 
answer  came  back:  "Away  with  Him!  away  with 
Him!  crucify  Him!  crucify  Him!" 

Thus  it  is,  beloved  in  Christ,  with  sinners  who,  hav- 
ing received  the  seven  gifts  of  the  spirit  of  evil,  have 
been  confirmed  in  wickedness.  They  behold  signs  and 
wonders,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  withholds  not  His  di- 
vine inspirations  ;  yet  they  harden  their  hearts,  and  re- 
main impenitent  unto  the  end. — Amen ! 


THIRD    SERMON.  395 

THIRD  SERMON. 

**  And  there  appeared  to  them  parted  tongues,  as  it  were  of  fire." — Acts  ii,  3. 

CHRIST  promised  to  send  the  Holy  Ghost  not  only 
to  the  Apostles,  but  to  all  who  would  believe  in 
Him,  "  to  dwell  with  them  forever."  And,  indeed,  when 
on  the  great  festival  of  Whitsunday  He  fulfilled  this 
promise,  and  the  divine  Spirit  appeared  in  the  form 
of  parted  tongues,  as  it  were  of  fire,  He  rested  not 
only  on  the  heads  of  the  Apostles,  but  on  all  who  were 
there  assembled,  among  whom  were  many  of  the 
female  sex  too." 

This  should  serve  as  an  admonition  that,  although 
the  Apostles  were  first  and  immediately  chosen  by 
Christ  to  announce  the  word  of  salvation  over  the 
whole  earth,  it  is^  alike  the  duty  and  the  privilege  of 
every  Catholic  to  contribute  to  the  propagation  of  the 
kingdom  of  God  on  earth,  and  to  lead  souls  to  Christ 
by  teaching  them  the  truths  of  faith;  if  they  are  al- 
ready members,  but  cold  or  tepid  children  of  the 
Church,  then  it  is  the  duty  of  every  Christian  to  win 
them,  by  word  and  example,  back  to  God. 

It  is  true  that  Christ  intrusted  the  apostleship  of 
preaching  only  to  those  divinely  appointed,  who, 
through  the  Sacrament  of  Holy  Orders,  are  ordained 
to  be  ministers  of  the  altar ;  but  there  is  also  an  apos- 
tleship of  encouragement,  of  example,  of  prayer y  and 

of  desire,  which  all  can  frequently  exercise. 
26 


396         FEAST  OF  PENTECOST  SUNDAY. 

None  should  fail  in  this  duty,  and  how  it  can  be  ful- 
filled shall  be  the  subject  of  my  sermon  to-day. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  Apostles,  who  didst  so  richly 
merit  that  title — not  indeed  through  preaching,  but 
through  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  souls — obtain  for  us 
some  portion  of  that  zeal  which  burned  in  the  hearts 
of  the  early  Christians  who  received  the  Holy  Ghost 
on  this  glorious  day! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God. 


In  addition  to  the  apostleship  of  preaching  the  word 
of  God,  my  dear  brethren,  and  the  ministry  of  the 
priesthood  in  the  sanctuary,  there  is  still  another — 
that  of  propagating  the  kingdom  of  Christ  on  earth, 
and  to  this  we  are  all  called  by  divine  authority. 

In  regard  to  the  apostleship  immediately  connected 
with  the  Sacrament  of  Holy  Orders,  it  is  most  certain 
that  no  one  can  dare  to  preach  the  word  of  God  to  man 
except  those  divinely  appointed  and  ordained  priests 
of  the  Most  High. 

We  learn  from  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  that  they 
exercised  the  utmost  care  lest  any  one,  not  thus  com- 
missioned, should  preach ;  for,  in  the  first  Council  they 
held  at  Jerusalem,  they  wrote  :  ''  We  have  heard  that 
there  are  some  who  trouble  and  disquiet  you  by  their 
preaching,  whom  we  have  not  sent.  Do  not  hear 
them."  To  us,  also,  this  admonition  of  the  Apostles 
is  of  great  importance ;  for,  since  the  introduction  of 


THIRD    SERMON.  397 

Protestantism,  even  the  laity  have  taken  it  upon  them- 
selves to  preach,  and  especially  in  America  it  is  fre- 
quently done.  Indeed,  this  abuse  has  reached  such  a 
point  that  even  wornen  pretend  to  expound  the  sacred 
text.    This  is  usurping  authority. 

But  there  are  ways  and  means  entirely  distinct  from 
this  by  which  the  greatest  good  can  be  accomplished, 
and  they  are  within  the  reach  of  all. 

To  these  ways  belongs,  first,  the  apostleship  of  in- 
structio7i,  of  warning,  of  reproof,  of  consolation.  A 
very  essential  obligation  rests  upon  parents  to  exer- 
cise the  above  in  regard  to  their  children.  Full  of  so- 
licitude, they  must,  from  the  very  earliest  years  of 
their  little  ones,  see  that  they  are  well  and  thoroughly 
instructed  in  matters  of  faith,  both  by  word  and  ex- 
ample. They  must  never  weary  in  their  watchful  care, 
but  admonish,  when  occasion  requires,  those  whom 
God  has  placed  under  their  charge,  and  place  such 
books  within  their  reach  as  will  be  of  permanent  ben- 
efit to  the  mind  and  heart.  Parents  should  esteem  it 
not  only  a  duty,  but  a  pleasure  to  visit  and  encourage 
Catholic  schools. 

What  is  particularly  needed  for  America  at  the 
present  day  is  a  fundamental  and  thorough  home- 
training  in  all  matters  of  faith;  but  the  duty  of  par- 
ents has  a  still  wider  range.  Here  the  apostleship  of - 
the  word  has  proved  more  effective  than  when  it  is 
announced  from  the  pulpit,  and  it  consists  in  advising 
the  children  to  faithfully  fulfill  their  duties  as  good 
Christians,  in  whatever  state  of  life  they  maybe  placed. 


398         FEAST  OF  PENTECOST  SUNDAY. 

and  to  live  so  as  to  attain  perfection  in  this  life,  and 
eternal  happiness  in  heaven. 

Shpuld  it  nevertheless  happen  that  children  or  sub- 
jects do  not  correspond  with  the  care  bestowed  upon 
them — that  they  become  careless  or  indifferent,  or  in- 
dulge in  some  forbidden  amusement  or  evil  intercourse 
with  wicked  companions,  thus  exposing  their  souls  to 
ruin — these  suggestions  will  show  parents  the  neces- 
sity of  administering  words  alike  of  reproof  and  en- 
couragement. Yes,  and  even  punishment  can  be  very 
effectively  employed  in  this  apostleship. 

All  this  refers  to  intercourse  between  relatives 
and  friends  too.  There  may  be  among  them  those 
who  have  not  heard  a  sermon  for  years,  who  willfully, 
and  of  their  own  accord,  shun  every  opportunity  of 
doing  so,  of  speaking  with  priests,  or  seeking  in  any 
way  to  promote  the  interest  of  their  souls.  In  such 
instances  the  kindly  offices  of  friends  to  supply  the 
word  of  the  priest,  become  still  more  essential. 

On  the  last  great  day,  when  all  hidden  things  shall 
be  made  manifest,  it  will  be  seen  that,  through  the 
apostleship  of  the  spoken  and  written  Word,  vast 
numbers  of  souls  have  been  led  to  repentance  and 
amendment  of  life,  and  finally  have  been  saved. 

To  the  apostleship  of  the  word  should  be  joined 
that  of  good  example.  "  Words  move,  examples  draw," 
we  are  assured  by  a  well-known  proverb.  If  parents 
merely  admonish  their  children  to  say  their  morning 
and  evening  prayers,  but  do  not  kneel  down  and  unite 
with  them,  and,  perhaps,  even  do  not  perform  these 


THIRD    SERMON.  399 

necessary  devotions,  the  children  will,  in  all  probability, 
neglect  their  own.  But  let  parents  lead  the  daily  pray- 
ers, read  every  evening  some  portions  from  the  "  Lives 
of  the  Saints;"  and  on  Sundays  select  some  other 
appropriate  lesson,  and  question  the  children  upon  it, 
and  the  most  beneficial  results  will  appear.  If  parents 
never  fail  to  assist  at  divine  service  on  the  days  com- . 
manded,  and  receive  monthly  the  Holy  Sacraments  of 
Penance  and  the  Eucharist,  they  will  set  their  children 
such  a  noble  example  that  God  will  eventually  bless 
them  all.  Let  those  tender  souls  given  into  your  care 
by  their  Creator,  see  that  you  are  zealous  in  the  prac- 
tice of  humility,  meekn^ess,  charity  towards  God's  be- 
loved poor,  and  liberality  to  the  Infant  Jesi!is  and  His 
Immaculate  Mother  by  remembering  the  necessities 
of  the  Church  ;  this  beautiful  example  will  be  regarded 
by  them  as  a  precious  legacy,  and  will  be  most  effect- 
ual in  serving  to  keep  them  in  the  path  of  virtue  long 
after  those  who  gave  it  lie  moldering  in  the  dust. 

A  glorious  testimony  to  the  truth  of  this  appears 
in  the  "  Lives  of  the  Saints."  Although  centuries  have 
rolled  away  since  they  passed  from  earth  to  heaven, 
they  still  encourage  and  assist  mankind  to  labor  for 
their  sanctification  and  salvation.  We  particularly  ex- 
perience this  in  regard  to  SS.  Benedict,  Augustine, 
Dominic,  Francis,  Ignatius,  and  other  founders  of  re- 
ligious orders,  and  of  those  Saints  who,  by  their  preach- 
ing and  missionary  labors,  propagated  holy  faith. 

Christ  says  :  *'  Let  your  light  shine  forth  that  men 
may  see  your  works,  and  praise  the  Father  in  heaven 


400         FEAST  OF  PENTECOST  SUNDAY. 

for  them."  We  read  in  the  life  of  St.  Francis  that  he 
said  to  one  of  his  brethren:  '*Let  us  go  forth  and 
preach."  They  went  through  many  streets  of  the  city, 
silently,  till  they  again  reached  the  monastery  gates. 
There  the  brother  spoke  and  said:  ''  Father,  did  you 
not  say,  '  Let  us  go  forth  and  preach?  '  and  now  behold 
us  at  the  very  spot  wherice  we  set  out,  without  having 
uttered  a  single  word."  St.  Francis  replied  :  "  Brother, 
we  carried  the  sermon  with  us."  *'  How  so.  Father?  " 
*'  The  busy  world  beheld  us  in  our  voluntary  poverty, 
and  knowing  us  from  earlier  times,  they  know  that  we, 
for  the  love  of  God,  have  left  every  thing.  In  that 
there  is  a  most  powerful  admonition  for  them  to  de- 
tach their  hearts  from  the  world." 

To  this  apostleship  of  example,  then,  is  united  that 
of  prayer  and  of  desire. 

First. — That  our  encouragement  and  example  may 
be  effective,  we  must  pray.  Prayer,  indeed,  is  the 
means  appointed  by  God  to  obtain  graces  through 
which  we  can  do  all,  but  without  which  we  are  power- 
less. 

Secondly. — Although  your  children  may  leave  the 
home  of  their  youth,  and,  bidding  you  farewell,  go  to 
a  strange  and  distant  land,  there  still  remains  one 
means  of  assisting  them,  and  that  is,  prayer.  Father 
— Mother — Sister — Brother — Friend!  pray  for  the 
eternal  welfare  of  those  dear  to  you ;  pray  for  the  sal- 
vation of  the  whole  world.  It  was  revealed  by  our 
Lord  to  St  Catherine  of  Sienna,  that,  as  a  recom- 
pense   for  her   zealous  prayer.  He  had  granted   the 


THIRD    SERMON.  4OI 

grace  of  conversion  to  many  thousands,  and  that  her 
never-ceasing  petitions  had  obtained  their  persever- 
ance until  the  end. 

In  conclusion,  beloved  in  Christ,  there  remains  still 
another  apostleship  in  which  all  can  participate, — that 
of  desire.  If  the  desire  be  sincere,  it  possesses  as  much 
value  before  God  as  the  act  itself.  It  was  the  ardent 
wish  of  St.  Francis  Xavier  to  effect  the  conversion  of 
China  and  Asia,  to  destroy  the  Greek  schism,  and  to 
reconcile  Protestant  Germany  with  the  Church;  and 
then,  returning  to  Rome,  to  embrace  Ignatius,  his  spirit- 
ual father,  and  to  receive  his  blessing.  With  these 
wishes  burning  in  his  heart,  the  saint  yielded  up  his  pure 
spirit  into  the  embrace  of  Christ,  and  hastened  to  his 
eternal  reward.  God  knows  these  desires,  and  accepts 
them  for  the  glorious  fulfillment. 

These  are  the  ways  and  means  by  which  you  can, 
each  and  every  one,  become  Apostles  of  Christ  on 
earth,  that  you  may  have  a  never-ending  claim  to  that 
glory  of  which  we  read  in  the  Prophet  Daniel  (xii,  5) 
which  is  awarded  to  those  who  instruct  others  to  justice : 
''They  will  one  day  shine  as  stars  in  an  endless  eter- 
nity."— Amen! 


FEAST  OF  WHIT-MONDAY. 


FIRST  SERMON, 


**  For  God  so  loved  the  world  as  to  give  His  only-begotten  Son,  that  who- 
soever believeth  in  Him  may  not  perish,  but  may  have  life  everlasting." — St. 
John  iii,  1 6. 

THE  holy  season  of  Whitsun-tide  recalls  to  the  mind 
the  establishment  of  the  Church,  and  the  manner 
and  form  in  which  God  provided  that,  through  the  in- 
finite merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  means  should  be  bestowed 
on  all  men  for  their  redemption  and  sanctihcation. 

"  For  God  so  loved  the  world  as  to  give  His  only-be- 
gotten Son  for  it."  These  are  the  words  of  the  holy 
Evangelist,  St.  John.  After  the  consummation  of  the 
work  of  Redemption,  it  is  true  that  Jesus  left  this 
world,  when  He  ascended  into  heaven  to  enter  His 
eternal  glory ;  but  He  established  on  earth  that  king- 
dom of  God,  His  Church,  to  which  He  committed  the 
word  of  revelation,  as  He  had  announced  it  when  on 
earth,  and,  at  the  same  time,  also,  the  sources  of  sal- 
vation, through  which  graces  should  be  bestowed  up- 
on all  men,  to  enable  them  to  live  in  accordance  with 
the  precepts,  obligations,  and  principles  of  holy  faith. 

Since,  then,  this  His  One  only  true  and  divine  Church, 
has  exclusively  possessed  and  preserved  these  treasures 

of  %ith,  Christ  has  placed  her,  as  it  were,  on  a  lofty 

(402: 


FIRST    SERMON.  4O3 

mount,  whence  she  can  be  clearly  discerned  by  all  who 
are  of  good  will ;  and  has  endowed  her  with  qualities 
called  marks,  which  belong  and  are  peculiar  to  her  alone. 
Let  us,  my  brethren,  glafice  to-day  at  these  four  marks, 
that  amid  the  darkness  of  understanding  and  obscurity 
of  spirit  which  are,  alas  !  prevalent,  we  may  behold  the 
one  true  Church — the  Bride  of  Christ,  our  Mother — 
shine  forth  brilliant  and  beautiful,  and  with  a  luster 
which  can  not  be  dimmed. 

0  Mary,  protectress  of  the  Holy  Church  established 
by  Christ,  obtain  for  us,  we  beseech  thee,  that  faith 
which  will  enable  us  not  only  courageously  to  confess 
our  religion,  but  to  live  according  to  its  dictates ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


Were  I  to  request  almost  any  Catholic  child  to  enu- 
merate the  four  marks  of  the  Church,  I  should  meet 
with  a  ready  answer;  and  yet  I  find  it  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  make  them  the  subject  of  a  special  dis- 
course. 

First. — Because  it  frequently  happens  that  what 
is  learned  in  early  life  is  forgotten  or  neglected  amid 
the  cares  of  later  years. 

Secondly. — If  there  is  an  earnest  desire  to  attain  a 
more  perfect  knowledge  of  the  arguments  upon  which 
some  truths  are  based,  the  understanding  being  more 
developed  as  our  years  advance,  we  can  understand 
and  appreciate  them  better  than  we  could  in  youth. 


404  FEAST    OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

Thirdly. — We  live  in  a  time  when  it  becomes  par- 
ticularly necessary  to  arouse  the  Catholic  spirit,  and 
enliven  the  faith  which  may  have  grown  languid  or 
cold.  This  is  especially  the  case  in  America,  and  also 
in  Germany,  where  there  is  such  constant  intercourse 
between  those  of  a  different  faith,  where  Catholics  and 
Protestants  so  often  mingle  together.  ^ 

How  often  we  hear  the  expression:  "We  are  all 
Christians,  and  believe  in  the  same  God;  so  the  dif- 
ference between  Catholics  and  Protestants  is  but  tri- 
fling— the  former  choose  one  path  to  church,  the  latter 
another." 

Thus,  indifference  in  matters  of  faith  creeps  in;  and 
those  whose  religious  instruction  has  been  defective, 
or,  if  thorough,  has  been  forgotten  in  the  rush  of  tem- 
poral cares,  are  in  the  most  imminent  danger  of  losing 
their  faith.  •    - 

But  far  different  is  the  aspect  when,  fully  awake  to 
the  glory  and  beauty  of  his  grand  old  faith,  the  Catho- 
lic Christian  is  able  to  prove  that,  between  it  and  the 
various  Protestant  sects,  not  a  grain  of  resemblance 
exists.  They  are  as  different  as  day  and  night,  false- 
hood and  truth,  life  and  death.  And  why?  Because 
God  is  essentially  truth ;  and  all  churches  or  sects  which 
deviate  from  truth  even  on  one  single  point,  differ- 
ing from  what  has  been  revealed  by  God  in  the  slight- 
est degree,  can  never  be  the  Church  of  which  He  de- 
clared: "■  He  that  will  not  hear  the  Church,  let  him  be 
to  thee  as  the  heathen  and  publican;"  and,  ''He 
that  believeth  not  will  be  condemned." 


FIRST    SERMON.  405 

Those  who  unfortunately  have  been  born  in  a  heret- 
ical belief,  and  who  console  themselves  by  the  thought 
that,  as  they  believe  in  Christ,  and  lead  lives  which  can 
not  be  censured,  they  are  sure  of  salvation,  can  not  be 
too  often  reminded  that  to  believe  in  Christ  is  not  suffi- 
cient ;  that  whosoever  cares  for  the  salvation  of  his  soul 
must  practise  what  Christ  has  enjoined  as  the  Church 
expounds  it. 

To  make  use  of  a  simple  and  plain  example,  when 
there  is  question  of  the  preservation  of  life,  it  is  fool- 
ish to  say  that,  because  the  hands  or  feet  are  sound, 
there  is  no  danger  of  death.  One  wound  in  the  heart, 
and  life  is  extinct.  It  is  the  same  with  willful  errors  in 
faith;  for  St.  James  says:  ''  Whoever  offends  in  one 
point  is  guilty  of  all ;  "  because,  for  each  article  of  faith 
we  have  the  same  infallible  authority  of  God  as  for  all 
One  willful  error  in  matters  of  faith  maybe  compared 
to  that  deadly  aim  which,  so  to  speak,  sends  the  bullet 
through  the  heart  of  the  soul,  destroying  therein  the  life 
of  grace,  and  rendering  it  hideous  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord. 

How  important  it  is,  therefore,  to  know  the  true 
Church  of  Christ,  and  to  believe  all  that  she  presents 
for  our  belief. 

After  these  preliminary  observations,  let  us  now 
glance,  in  order,  at  each  separate  mark  of  the  Church, 
to  prove  that  the  numerous  sects  by  which  we  are 
surrounded,  especially  the  Protestant,  can  lay  no  claim 
to  one  among  them.  . 

The  first  mark  of  the  Catholic  Church  is  Unity.    She 


406  FEAST    OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

is  one:  "  Father,  I  pray  Thee,  let  them  be  one."  "  One 
faith,  one  Lord,  one  baptism,  one  body,  and  one  mind." 
These  are  the  words  of  St.  Paul  to  the  faithful.  One, 
is  the  Catholic  Church,  our  Mother.  She  is  one  in  her 
Founder,  Jesus  Christ ;  one  in  the  doctrine  she  teaches, 
and  one  in  her  children  banded  together  by  one  and  the 
same  faith.  She  is  one  in  her  means  of  salvation ;  one  in 
her  Head,  who  is  the  direct  successor  of  the  prince  of 
the  Apostles,  the  glorious  St.  Peter. 

Far  different  is  it  with  the  Sects.  They  have  not 
been  established  by  Christ ;  they  can  only  trace  their 
origin  to  the  vagaries  of  men,  and  possess  not  the  char- 
acteristics of  unity,  for  each  of  their  members  can  take 
the  Bible  and  find  in  its  pages  authority  to  believe  as 
he  will.  They  have  no  spiritual  ruler.  Take  England, 
for  example,  where  the  Sovereign  is  the  head  of  the 
Church.  Even  if  a  Queen  is  on  the  throne,  she  still 
claims  the  privilege  of  swaying  the  destinies  of  the 
nation  In  regard  to  religion. 

Christ  our  Lord  wished  for  a  Hofy  Church,  there- 
fore He  prayed:  ''  Sane tijy  them  in  truth;"  and  called 
out  to  His  faithful  children :  ''  Be  ye  perfect,  as  your 
Father  in  heaven  is  perfect."  St.  Peter  exclaims: 
''  Christ  offered  Himself  for  His  Church,  that  He 
might  sanctify  her;  "  and  has  not  the  Offering  brought 
forth  the  richest  fruit? 

Holy  is  our  Mother,  the  Catholic  Church.  Her 
Founder  is  Christ,  the  Holiest  of  the  Holy.  She  is 
holy  in  her  doctrine ;  holy  in  the  means  she  so  lav- 
ishly provides  to  gain  salvation  for  the  souls  of  her 


FIRST   SERMON.  407 

children;  holy  in  her  members,  for  she  can  boast  of 
the  nine  angelic  choirs  as  among  them,  and  claim  vast 
numbers  of  canonized  saints  in  her  ranks.  She  can 
joyfully  point  to  the  ever-blessed  and  Immaculate 
Virgin  and  Mother,  claiming  all  as  belonging  to  the 
communion  of  saints  in  Heaven  and  on  earth. 

It  is  not  so  with  the  Sects ;  for  the  pages  of  history 
unmistakably  prove  that  their  founders,  in  many  in- 
stances, were  dissolute  men,  addicted  to  passions  the 
most  vile,  breaking  their  vows,  and  living  unblushingly 
in  open  adultery.  Witness  Luther  and  Henry  VIII., 
who  stand  before  the  world  as  the  basest  of  men,  their 
memories  branded  with  the  stigma  of  crime,  the  relig- 
ions they  founded  born  of  pride  and  lust. 

The  various  sects  teach  error  as  if  it  were  truth; 
and  possess  not  the  means  of  sanctification,  which 
Christ  deposited  in  His  Church.  Search  the  history 
of  their  rise  and  progress,  and  you  will  find  no  record 
of  a  patron  saint.  Nay  more,  when,  either  with  or 
without  some  pretense  of  a  ceremony  of  baptism,  they 
would  christen  a  child,  the  name  selected  must  come 
from  the  long  list  of  Catholic  Saints,  unless  indeed  they 
search  the  Old  Testament  for  the  name  of  a  Jew,  or 
prefer  the  surname  of  some  political  hero. 

Christ  our  Lord  wished  His  Church  to  be  universal y 
and  to  become  the  Church  of  all  nations,  as  appears 
from  the  command  to  His  Apostles  to  **go  forth  and 
preach  the  Gospel  to  all  nations,  teaching  them  to 
observe  whatsoever  He  had  commanded  them,  and 
promising  that  He  would  remain  with  them  forever.*' 


408  FEAST    OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

Yes,  truly  the  Catholic  Church,  our  Mother,  is  uni- 
versal; for,  from  the  days  of  the  Apostles  she  dates 
her  establishment ;  and,  in  the  Creed,  they  have  given 
her  the  title  'of  "■  Catholic,"  which  means  M7iiversaL  She 
is  the  Mother  Church,  who  of  heathens  made  such  fer- 
vent Christians  that  they  preferred  to  give  up  life  itself 
rather  than  yield  an  atom  of  their  allegiance  to  her. 
She  alone  possesses  in  herself  \h^  principle  of  univer- 
sality, because  she  alone  is  governed  by  one  head, 
whose  authority  is  recognized  by  all ;  for  all  know 
that  he  is  divinely  commissioned  to  rule,  and  that  he 
is  an  unerring  guide  in  matters  of  faith. 

Without  this  infallible  power  to  teach  and  decide, 
without  this  unquestionable  right  to  rule,  received  from 
Christ  Himself  by  the  sovereign  Pontiff,  it  would  be  im- 
possible to  secure  such  an  absolute  unity  in  matters  of 
faith  as  now  exists  among  so  many  millions  of  souls. 

In  this  regard.  Protestantism  presents  the  greatest 
contrast;  for,  the  various  sects  exist  not  from  the  be- 
ginning, but  date  back  only  to  the  brief  period  of 
three  hundred  years;  and  what  Tertullian  asserted 
seventeen  centuries  ago  of  the  heretics  of  his  day : 
''  They  can  make  perverts,  but  not  converts,"  is  equally 
applicable  to  the  sects  of  to-day.  And  even  if  they 
succeed  in  increasing  their  ranks  by  means  of  some 
misguided  beings,  who,  for  pecuniary  or  other  tempo- 
ral considerations  have  proved  false  to  their  faith, 
they  never  can  constitute  a  Church,  because  each  of 
its  members  would  claim  the  right  to  believe  for  him- 
self.   They  are  not  faithful  to  Christ,  but  to  self. 


FIRST    SERMON.  4O9 

Let  me  illustrate  this  by  a  homely  comparison,  and 
say:  Suppose  that  one  hundred  thousand  heads  of 
cabbage  were  placed  one  above  another,  by  no  possi- 
ble conception  of  fancy  could  they  be  transformed  into" 
one  head;  and  in  the  same  way  it  would  be  impossi- 
ble, where  there  is  no  unity  in  matters  of  faith,  and 
no  uniformity  in  the  guidance  of  the  Church,  whose 
fallibility  is  admitted  without  a  doubt,  to  maintain  that 
that  Church  is  one. 

Finally,  Christ  our  Lord  wished  His  Church  to  be 
apostolical,  hence  His  words  to  St.  Peter:  "Thou  art 
Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  My  Church." 
To  guide  her  children  through  the  desert  of  life,  and 
lead  them  happily  to  the  promised  land,  she  can  point 
to  the  successors  of  the  Apostles,  her  bishops  and 
priests,  and,  above  all,  to  him  who  presides  over  her 
destiny  on  earth,  the  Pope.  Hence  the  emphatic  dec- 
laration of  St.  Ambrose:  ''Where  Peter  is,  there  is 
the  Church." 

Where,  my  dear  brethren,  can  this  mark  be  found 
in  any  of  the  sects?  We  can  most  emphatically  reply: 
In  none.  This  should  be  to  all,  as  clear  as  the  noon- 
day sun,  a  proof  that  not  one  of  them  is,  or  can  ever 
hope  to  be,  the  one  true  Church,  which  has  existed 
for  over  eighteen  hundred  years  without  spot  Qr  blem- 
ish— pure,  holy,  immaculate — as  when  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  first  chose  her  to  be  His  spouse.  Not  one 
of  those  sects,  which  have  all  originated,  if  not  in 
passion  or  crime,  at  least  in.  the  wild  fancy  of  some 
fevered  brain,  even  pretends  to  reach  back  to  the  days 


4IO  FEAST    OF   WHIT-MONDAY. 

of  Peter  and  the  Apostles ;  therefore,  "  Peter  is  not 
with  them." 

Then,  beloved  in  Christ,  let  us  send  forth  most  fer- 
vent prayers  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  to  God,  Who 
has  so  mercifully  called  us  to  be  children  of  this  Holy 
Church  ;  and,  when  we  have  occasion  to  speak  of  re- 
ligion with  our  separated  friends,  let  us  draw  their 
attention  to  her  four  marks — Unity,  Sanctity,  Catho- 
licity, and  Apostolicity.  Then,  if  they,  with  sincere 
desire  to  discover  the  truth,  go  earnestly  to  work,  the 
Holy  Ghost  will  enlighten  them  until,  recognizing  the 
Catholic  Church  as  the  only  true  one,  they  will  enter 
her  fold:  and,  living  as  her  faithful  members,  will, 
at  the  hour  of  death,  be  called  to  enjoy  the  reward 
of  their  courage  and  fidelity  by  her  divine  and  holy 
Founder,  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. — Amen  ! 


SECOND    SERMON.  4I I 

SECOND    SERMON. 

«*And  there  appeared  to  them  parted  tongvies  as  it  were  of  fire." — Acts  ii,  3. 

IT  is  most  fitting,  beloved  in  Christ,  that  the  great 
work  of  the  Redemption,  the  greatest  visible  work 
of  God,  should  be  divided  among  the  three  divine 
persons  of  the  Blessed  Trinity,  each  one  bearing  a 
part  in  some  special  manner,  yet  in  such  a  way  that 
the  honor  and  glory  which  beam  therefrom  should 
revert  wholly  to  the  One  only  triune  God,  of  one  es- 
sence and  nature,  eternal — existing  from  all  eternity. 

God  the  Father  sent  His  only-begotten  Son  into 
this  world ;  God  the  Son  assumed  our  human  nature, 
and  completed  the  work  of  redemption ;  while  to  God 
the  Holy  Ghost  was  left  the  glory  of  imparting  to 
man  the  merits  thereof,  inspiring  him  with  the  desire 
to  propagate,  and  endowing  him  with  ability  to  gov- 
ern the  new-born  Church. 

It  was  God  the  Son,  the  WORD,  Who  became 
man  for  us.  The  Word  is,  therefore,  the  means  ap- 
pointed by  the  most  blessed  Trinity  to  diffuse  the 
holy  faith  over  the  universe  ;  and  upon  the  feast  oi 
Pentecost,  as  the  day  which  witnessed  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Church,  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Spirit  of 
truth,  descended  in  the  form  of  tongues  of  fire. 

Thus,  in  the  divine  economy,  it  was  arranged  that 

the  diffusion  of  faith  should  be  world  wide ;  not,  so  to 

speak,  through  the  intervention  of  divine  Providence, 

but  by  the  co-operation  of  man  among  men,  that,  in 
27 


412  FEAST    OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

one  point  of  view  success  might  be  effected,  in  spite 
of  all  opposition,  by  frail  and  helpless  man,  that  the 
divinity  of  the  Church  might  be  more  apparent,  and 
that  those  who  earnestly  strive  to  propagate  the  faith 
might  increase  their  merits  a  hundred-fold. 

The  communications  of  the  Holy  Ghost  should, 
therefore,  be  accomplished  through  the  word  of  man 
to  his  fellow-man,  a  proof  of  which  may  be  found  in 
the  words  of  St.  Paul:  ''  But  how  can  one  believe  if 
no  one  preach?  and  how  will  one  preach  ifvio  one  is 
sent?"  The  tongues  were  at  once  cloven  and  fiery; 
and  herein  is  to  be  found  an  admonition  of  the  deep- 
est importance. 

Let  us,  therefore,  to-day  consider  the  signification 
of  ''the  cloven  tongues  as  it  zvere  of  fire ^  under 
which  symbol  God  the  Holy  Ghost  entered  the  hearts 
of  the  Apostles  and  disciples  on  the  feast  of  Pentecost, 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  fair  love,  obtain  for  us  a  readi- 
ness to  receive  the  Holy  Ghost  with  all  His  divine 
inspirations ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the  greater 
honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


*' Going  therefore,  teach  ye  all  nations,  and  behold 
I  am  with  you  all  days,  even  to  the  consummation  of 
the  world."  Thus  runs  the  commission  of  Christ  to 
His  Apostles ;  and  that  it  might  be  done  in  a  fitting 
manner,  they  were  not  to  go  forth  on  their  mission  at 


SECOND    SERMON.  413 

once,  but  were  to  wait  for  the  descent  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  who,  indeed,  appeared  ''and  sat  upon  every 
one  of  them." 

And  could  the  Holy  Ghost  have  chosen  a  more 
appropriate  symbol  of  Himself  to  indicate  His  mission 
through  the  Father  and  the  Son?  It  is  the  tongue 
which  gives  utterance  to  the  word,  and  takes  it  to  the 
farthest  limits  of  the  earth.  Thus  it  was  the  zeal  of 
St.  Raymond  Nonnatus  that  carried  the  tidings  of 
salvation  to  the  Turks,  undaunted  by  the  threats  of 
those  unbelievers,  who  would  fain  have  sealed  his 
lips.  The  barbarous  punishment  which  they  chose  to 
inflict  upon  him,  was  to  thrust  a  sharp  instrument 
through  those  holy  lips,  and  suspend  a  lock  from 
them. 

The  fiery  tongues  which  flamed  above  the  heads  of 
the  Apostles,  therefore,  symbolized  the  preaching  of 
the  word  as  enunciated  by  those  tongues  through 
which  God  was  to  send  over  the  world  light,  strength, 
and  consolation  for  the  salvation  of  the  fallen  human 
race.  And  the  word  of  God,  as  spoken  by  Apostolic 
lips,  has  met  with  most  glorious  success,  and  brought 
forth  fruit  a  thousand  fold.  When  those  tongues  ap- 
peared at  Jerusalem,  the  entire  world,  in  matters  of 
faith,  was  shrouded  in  the  most  intense  and  impen- 
etrable darkness.  Over  the  holy  land,  indeed,  hov- 
ered the  twilight  of  revelation,  but  the  pagan  world 
remained  groping  in  an  utterly  rayless  night  of  gloom. 
But,  lo!  scarce  had  the  Holy  Spirit,  represented  by 
fiery  tongues,  rested  above  the  heads  of  the  Apostles, 


414  FEAST    OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

when  St.  Peter  opened  his  lips  with  an  inspired  elo- 
quence, which  none  could  resist,  and  expounded  the 
truths  of  the  new-born  Church.  Thousands  responded 
to  the  call  of  grace,  and  believed ;  and  behold,  before 
the  lapse  of  a  few  short  years,  the  faith  had  spread 
over  the  whole  universe  to  its  uttermost  limits.  Its 
brilliant  light  flashed  across  the  darkened  world,  and 
the  path  to  salvation  became  clear.  O  happy  Chris- 
tians, who  listened  to  those  inspired  men!  The  un- 
derstanding of  man  was  illumined  so  that  he  knew 
whence  he  came  and  why  he  had  been  created  by 
God^  Not  only  was  the  origin  of  evil  made  clear  to 
him,  but  also  the  knowledge  of  how  to  combat  it. 
Ht  realized  the  value  of  the  means  of  salvation,  and 
felt  strengthened  to  live  and  to  die  in  the  service  of 
God.      . 

Yet  the  word  is  not  intended  only  to  ^eac/i,  but  also 
to  console;  and  since  the  spirit  of  man  has  been  illu- 
mined by  faith,  he  should  learn  the  value  of  suffer- 
ings. By  accepting  them  with  joy,  for  the  love  of 
Christ,  they  can  be  changed  into  an  endless  source  of 
merit,  and  the  thorns  which  twine  around  His  cross 
transformed  to  most  lovely  and  fragrant  flowers. 
Since  Christ  has  redeemed  the  world  by  sufferings, 
the  most  intense  that  can  be  imagined,  they  should 
be  the  greatest  consolation  for  the  Christian  who, 
filled  with  the  consciousness  of  faith,  may  well  ex- 
claim, with  St.  Paul:  ''God  forbid  that  I  should  glory, 
save  in  the  cross  of  Christ." 

The  tongues  which   rested  upon  the  heads  of  the 


SECOND    SERMON.  415 

favored  missionaries  were  at  the  same  time  divided, 
or  cloven.  Tongues  of  encouragement  it  is  true,  but 
also  of  warning  and  threatening  for  all  who  loudly 
profess  the  faith,  but  who,  when  the  question  turns  upon 
living  in  accordance  with  its  divine  commands,  are 
careless  and  cold. 

In  proof  of  this  we  need  only  read  the  epistles, 
written  at  different  times,  by  the  Apostles,  to  the 
faithful,  wherein  they  not  only  instruct,  but  encour- 
age, warn,  reprehend,  and,  when  necessary,  inflict 
the  penalty  which  they  deemed  proper.  The  long 
and  unbroken  line  of  the  successors  of  the  same 
Apostles,  in  their  holy  office,  have  invariably  adopted 
a  similar  course.  And  who,  indeed,  could  tell  us,  be- 
loved brethren,  how  many  words  have,  in  the  hours, 
and  days,  and  months,  and  years,  that  go  to  make 
up  the  long  course  of  nineteen  centuries,  been  uttered 
by  those  Apostolic  tongues?  They  have  announced 
the  Gospel  to  the  heathen ;  to  the  Christian  they 
have  imparted  encouragement,  amid  the  struggles  of 
life  ;  to  all  faithful  children  of  the  Church  they  have 
made  known  the  holy  will  of  God,  pointed  out  the 
path  to  Paradise,  and  the  way  of  eternal  bliss.  ' 

Every  word  uttered  by  preachers,  missionaries, 
and  confessors,  with  a  view  to  effecting  some  spirit- 
ual good,  is  typified  by  the  fiery  cloven  tongues ;  but, 
above  all,  we  have  cause  to  congratulate  ourselves 
upon  the  admirable  work,  in  this  regard,  of  the  suc- 
cessors of  the  prince  of  Apostles,  St.  Peter.  By 
their  allocutions,  bulls,  documents,  and  deeisions,  they 


4l6  FEAST    OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

have  pointed  out  to  all  nations,  with  unerring  decis- 
ion, the  way  of  truth  and  salvation. 

In  some  cases  the  tongue  has  even  been  glorified 
by  miracles ;  witness  that  of  St.  Anthony  and  St.  John 
Nepomucene.  The  tongues  of  these  great  servants 
of  God  were  preserved  from  corruption,  for  their 
glory,  through  and  in  the  glory  of  the  Most 
High. 

The  tongue  has  been  chosen  by  God  as  the  means 
of  propagating  His  kingdom  on  earth.  Those  which 
rested  upon  the  heads  of  'the  Apostles  were  cloven, 
and  at  the  same  time,  as  Holy  Writ  tells  us,  "of  fire," 
being  emblematic  of  the  love  for  God  which  burned 
in  their  fervent  hearts.  Had  not  this  love  so  ardently 
glowed  in  the  breasts  of  the  Apostles  and  their  suc- 
cessors, they  would  never  have  taken  upon  them- 
selves the  labors,  hardships,  sacrifices,  and  sufferings 
which  their  vocation  required  of  them ;  and,  in  regard 
to  the  convincing  power  which  the  divine  word  as- 
sumed upon  their  lips,  it  was  that  divine  fire  which 
caused  and  impelled  so  many  who  heard  them  to  em- 
brace the  true  faith. 

The  unction  of  holy  love  imparts  the  plenitude 
and  fervor  of  consolation  to  the  divine  word.  Thus, 
when  the  preacher — from  the  days  of  old  until  the 
present  time — may  have  been  obliged  to  raise  his 
voice  against  sinners,  and  threaten  them  with  the 
thunders  of  the  wrath  of  God,  the  warning,  tempered 
as  it  is  by  love,  causes  not  the  hearers  to  despair, 
but  inspires  them  with  the  hope  of  forgiveness. 


SECOND    SERMON.  417 

This  ardent  love  filled  the  Apostles  with  the  spirit 
of  endurance  and  patience,  so  that  they  were  strength- 
ened to  go  on  until  their  glorious  undertaking  had 
reached  a  happy  completion. 

Had  this  love  been  wanting,  the  words  of  St.  Paul 
would  have  been  verified:  '*If  I  speak  with  the 
tongues  of  men  and  of  angels,  and  have  not  charity, 
I  am  become  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal.'* 
If  this  be  true  of  the  word  which  is  preached  and 
spoken,  it  is  no  less  true  of  that  which  is  written  and 
printed,  for  it  is  the  same  which  is  promulgated 
among  the  children  of  men.  Let  us,  therefore,  make 
use  of  both  ways  to  communicate  to  our  fellow  crea- 
tures the  truths  of  fiith,  particularly  in  our  own  day, 
when  the  divine  wisdom  has  been  pleased  to  place 
in  our  hands  the  means  by  which  the  influence  of 
the  word  is  so  immeasurably  increased.  I  refer  to  the 
Apostleship  of  the  Press.  We  do  not,  like  the  Apos- 
tles, possess  the  gift  of  tongues,  but  by  means  of  the 
press  this  grace  is  fully  supplied ;  and  it  would  be 
difficult  to  say  whether  the  word  of  salvation  has 
been  rt^ore  widely  spread  by  that  wonderful  gift 
which  enabled  thousands  of  different  nationalities  to 
understand  what  St.  Peter  preached,  or  by  the  press, 
which  empowers  us,  by  diversifying  the  spoken  and 
translating  the  written  word,  to  preach  to  all  nations 
at  once.  It  enables  the  missionary  to  preach  in  re- 
gions where  he  has  never  been,  and  still  to  preach 
when  the  tongue  which  uttered  the  words,  or  the 
hand   which    transcribed    them,    lies    powerless    and 


41 8  FEAST   OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

Still,  and  when  the  soul  from  whence  they  came  has 
gone  to  its  eternal  home. 

Therefore,  if  the  royal  psalmist  exclaims:  **I  have 
believed,  therefore  I  have  spoken,"  we  dare  and  can 
say,  with  still  more  consolation,  ''I  have  believed, 
therefore  I  have  preached  and  written." 

In  this  manner,  my  dear  brethren,  will  the  promise 
made  to  us  by  the  Lord,  through  His  prophet 
Daniel,  be  fulfilled  in  us  in  the  most  perfect  meas- 
ure: ''They  who  instruct  others  to  justice  shall  shine 
as  stars  through  all   eternity." — Amen. 


THIRD    SERMON.  419 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"And  they  began  to  speak." — Aets  ii,  4. 

OF  the  word  of  God  as  preached  by  the  Apostles, 
by  which  the  Church  was  propagated  on  earth 
after  the  Ascension  of  Christ,  St.  Paul  testifies  that  it 
extended  to  the  farthest  limits.  Beyond  a  doubt,  the 
Apostles  literally  fulfilled  the  divine  commission  :  '*  Go- 
ing, therefore,  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  teaching  them  to  observe  all  that  I  have  com- 
manded you." 

Had  mankind  universally  accepted  the  preaching 
of  the  Apostles,  their  mission,  united  with  the  power 
of  miracles,  which  accompanied  the  apostolic  word, 
would  have  been  sufficient  to  illuminate,  during  every 
age  of  the  world's  existence,  the  whole  human  race  in 
things  of  salvation,  and  to  lead  all  men  to  the  way  of 
truth,  until  they  would  safely  rest  in  the  embrace  of 
their  Mother  the  Holy  Church.  But,  alas!  although 
thousands  were  converted  by  those  sermons,  the  Apos- 
tles still  met  with  opposition  and  resistance  in  the  very 
beginning ;  for  the  evening  shadows  of  the  feast,  which 
had  been  so  gloriously  ushered  in,  found  St.  Peter  and 
St.  John  already  in  prison,  and  the  prohibition  of  the 
authorities  was  made  known  to  them :  no  longer  were 
they  to  preach  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  Whose  commands 
they  must  cease  to  obey. 

But  the  prince  of  the  Apostles,  and  his  zealous  band 


420  FEAST    OF  WHIT-MONDAY. 

of  colaborers,  enriched  with  the  sevenfold  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  were  restrained  neither  by  threats  nor 
chastisements  from  doing  their  duty.  Hell,  robbed  of 
so  many  souls  long  regarded  by  Satan  as  his  prey, 
was  quick  to  place  every  impediment  in  their  way; 
but  they  surmounted  them  all. 

A7id  what,  beloved  in  Christ,  was  and  is  still  the 
most  pernicious  and  successful  means  employed  by  dia- 
bolical art  to  render  fruitless  the  work  of  the  Word  and 
promote  the  destruction  of  the  kingdom  of  good  by  the 
powers  of  darkness  ?    I  say  it  is  the  abuse  of  the  tongue, 

0  Mary,  who,  by  crushing  the  serpent's  head,  didst 
vanquish  hell,  obtain  for  us  grace  to  conquer  the  ene- 
mies of  the  Church  with  the  victorious  power  of  the 
divine  Word. 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
honor  and  glory  of  God. 


What  a  fearful  weapon  the  tongue  can  be  in  the 
power  of  wicked  men  !  Lucifer  makes  use  of  it  to  at- 
tack the  kingdom  of  God  on  earth,  as  he  employed  it 
to  work  the  ruin  of  our  first  parents  in  the  garden  of 
Eden,  and  therewith  the  woe  of  their  hapless  posterity. 
It  was  the  enticing  promises,  made  by  the  wily  tongue 
of  the  serpent  to  Eve,  which  caused  her  to  fall.  It  Is 
by  the  word  of  seduction  that  he  would  fain,  If  that 
could  be  possible,  render  fruitless  the  work  of  the  Re- 
demption of  man. 

Christ,  the  Word  of  God  made  man,  entered  into 


THIRD    SERMON.  421 

this  world;  but  as  soon  as  Mary  presented  Him  in 
the  temple,  Simeon,  inspired  by  God,  lifted  up  his 
voice  and  declared  that  the  divine  Child  should  be 
placed  as  a  sign  for  the  ruin  and  salvation  of  many. 
Even  as,  on  the  one  hand,  it  is  by  the  Woj^d,  as  enunci- 
ated by  the  ministers  of  God  by  which  the  tidings  of 
revelation  are  to  reach  the  human  race,  that  men  may 
become  illuminated  by  faith,  become  -children  of  the 
Church,  and  serve  its  divine  Founder,  until  rewarded 
by  eternal  happiness : — so,  on  the  other,  there  is  a  word 
which  is  employed  in  the  service  of  Lucifer  as  a  means 
not  only  to  destroy  or  prevent  as  much  as  possible  the 
effects  of  the  divine  Word,  but  to  spread  or  promote 
the  kingdom  of  evil. 

The  Gospel,  the  Epistles,  and  the  Acts  of  the  Apos- 
tles themselves  give  testimony  of  this,  together  with  the 
entire  history  of  the  Church  until  to-day.  The  symbol 
of  the  sanctified  tongues  of  fire  is  not  only  the  sym- 
bol of  the  Holy  Spirit,  but  also  of  His  evil  adversary. 

As  those  burning  tongues  were  emblematic  of  the 
ardor  of  divine  love,  so  is  the  fire,  which  glows  in  lurid 
light  upon  the  tongues  of  the  damned,  a  sign  of  hatred 
to  God  and  His  kingdom.  These  diabolical  tongues 
vent  their  wickedness  in  various  ways. 

First,  there  is  the  lying  tongue,  the  tongue  of  cal- 
umny, which  can  be  found  in  every  part  of  the  world. 

Even  as  Christ  promised  and  sent  the  Holy  Ghost, 
the  Spirit  of  truth,  that  the  Apostles  and  disciples 
might  imbibe  all  truth,  so  the  tongue  which,  under 
the  influence  of  the  devil,  wages  perpetual  war  against 


422  FEAST    OF  WHIT- MONDAY. 

the  kingdom  of  truth,  is  the  tongue  which  propagates 
lies.  Holy  Scripture  calls  the  devil  a  liar  from  the  be- 
ginning— "the  father  of  lies." 

Man,  made  according  to  the  image  of  God,  longs 
for  truth.  God  is  truth.  This  desire  is  so  great  that 
man  often  mistakes  falsehood  for  truth,  but  only  so  far 
as  it  has  the  appearance  of  that  quality;  and  hence 
the  efforts  of  the  emissaries  of  hell  to  deform  and  dis- 
tort the  sense  of  the  divine  Word,  as  they  did  even  in 
the  days  of  Christ,  for  we  read:  "They  went  forth  to 
ensnare  Him  in  His  speech."  They  distorted  the  mean- 
ing of  His  doctrine,  to  calumniate  Him ;  and  akhough 
Christ  solemnly  declared  that  He  came  not  to  destroy 
but  to  fulfill  the  law,  they  asserted  before  the  people 
that  He  was  an  enemy  of  Moses  and  of  the  Law. 

And  although  He  enjoined  them  "  to  render  to 
Caesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's,"  they  asserted 
that  He  promulgated  sedition  against  him. 

The  fire  which  glowed  on  their  tongues  was  the 
flame  of  hatred  toward  Christ  and  His  kingdom.  For, 
although  the  Saviour  demonstrated  to  tl;iem  His  ad- 
vent from  the  writings  of  the  Prophets  themselves, 
performed  miracles,  even  raised  the  dead  to  life,  yet 
they  stretched  forth  their  tongues  against  Him  to  cry 
out:  "Crucify  Him!  crucify  Him!" 

Three  millions  of  tongues  were  then  stretched  forth 
against  Christ,  inflamed  with  the  hatred  and  envy  of 
hell !  And  who  would  be  able  to  compute  the  mill- 
ions and  millions  which,  in  the  course  of  nineteen 
hundred  years,  have  wagged  their  heads  against  Him, 


THIRD    SERMON.  423 

not  in  Jerusalem  alone,  but  over  the  whole  world? 
The  Jews,  dispersed  over  the  earth,  manifested  con- 
stant opposition  to  the  Gospel,  as  we  learn  from  the 
Acts  of  the  Apostles,  on  almost  every  page.  The 
Jews  of  Rome,  indeed,  did  not  pretend  to  deny  the 
fact;  but  said,  to  the  very  face  of  St.  Paul:  ''We 
know,  in  regard  to  that  sect  called  Christian,  that  it  is 
every-where  contradicted."  This  opposition  of  the 
Jews  was  very  soon  followed  by  that  of  the  heathens; 
and  in  what  point  was  Satan  most  solicitous  among 
them  ?  I  answer :  In  distorting  and  giving  a  false  mean- 
ing to  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  that  he  might  ren- 
der the  Gospel  hateful  to  men. 

How  often,  too,  nowadays,  in  China  and  Japan, 
does  not  the  distortion  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Real 
Presence, — that  Christ  is  truly  present  in  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar, — serve  as  a  means  to 
calumniate  the  Church  when  its  members  are  accused 
of  eating  human  flesh,  and  slaughtering  innocent  chil- 
dren for  the  purpose  ?  And  if  we  think,  further,  of  the 
venom  of  heretical  tongues,  are  not  almost  all  the 
articles  of  faith  which  Protestants  generally  attack 
distorted  by  them,  and  the  tales  they  promulgate  of 
us  mere  inventions  ?  And  this,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  hundreds  and  hundreds  of  learned  men,  dur- 
ing three  centuries,  have  told  them  over  and  again  the 
real  truth. 

And  yet  the  tongues  of  those  blatant  ministers  of 
the  Protestant  sects  remain  arrayed  against  Christ  and 
His  Church !    They  continue  to  utter  their  vile  calum- 


424  FEAST    OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

nies.  Yet,  if  infidels  and  heretics  would,  with  imparti- 
ality, tell  what  they  know  of  our  faith,  few  indeed 
would  obey  the  voice  of  the  tempter  which  poisons 
their  minds.  What  fills  men  with  disgust  toward  the 
Church  and  her  ministers  are  those  lying  tongues, 
which  disfigure  the  reality,  the  aim,  and  the  end. 

If  this  be  true  of  the  spoken  word,  it  is  no  less 
so  of  the  far  more  pernicious  influence  of  the  press, 
which  changes  the  word  into  just  so  many  tongues  as 
there  are  words  in  the  volumes,  to  furnish  the  poison 
of  lies  to  the  world. 

O  God,  how  many  myriads  of  flaming  tongues  do 
we  not  find  therein  stretched  forth  against  Thee  and 
Thy  Holy  Church  impregnated  with  the  blackest  of 
hate!  And  if  this  be  true  of  the  Church  in  general,  it 
is  no  less  so  with  regard  to  the  kingdom  of  God  in 
the  hearts  of  her  children.  How  many  tongues  move 
daily  to  weaken  the  religious  convictions  of  youth,  and 
to  ruin  their  principles  of  morality !  They  not  only 
ridicule  those  who  lead  good  and  pious  lives,  but  they 
try  to  loosen  the  bonds  of  fraternal  union  which  should 
unite  men  together. 

To  these  belong  the  tongues  of  slanderers,  de- 
tractors, and  tale-beai^ers ;  also  those  who  give  utter- 
ance to  that  vain  boasting  which  grows  more  and  more 
common,  and  those  who  wag  in  rude  contradiction, 
in  quarrels,  and  in  disrespect  to  the  Divine  Name. 

Further,  the  tongues  of  those  whose  seductive  words 
lead  others  to  commit  mortal  sin,  especially  the  vice  of 
impurity.  What,  indeed,  is  more  common  than  the  prac- 


THIRD    SERMON.  425 

tice  of  sinful  conversation,  which  can  not  be  too  severely 
censured,  of  which  the  seducer  makes  use  to  corrupt 
his  victim  ? 

In  addition  to  the  above,  a  great  many  sins  are  com- 
mitted by  an  inordinate  love  of  talk,  and  by  unneces- 
sary visits  and  amusements.  It  is  the  tongue  which,  in 
all  these  instances,  does  Satan  most  service  when  he 
sets  forth  to  destroy  the  kingdom  of  good  in  the  hearts 
of  mankind,  and  in  its  place  to  establish  the  rule  of 
infidelity  or  indifference  in  matters  of  faith.  Who  can 
not  see,  at  first  glance,  that  it  is  the  tongue  of  which 
Satan  makes  most  use  to  spread  the  kingdom  of  evil — 
to  disturb  the  dominion  of  God  ?  Is  it  not  astonishing 
to  reflect  with  what  success  hell  always  makes  use  of 
the  word  in  its  diabolical  efforts  ?  By  spreading  false 
maxims  of  life,  Satan  poisons  the  judgment  of  public 
opinion,  and  knows  how  to  give  wrong  the  appearance 
of  right.  Those  who  would  work  the  moral  ruin  of 
man  are  made  to  appear  as  the  friends  of  humanity, 
while  the  world  calls  ignorance  in  matters  of  faith  and 
neglect  of  the  duties  of  religion,  enlightenment  and 
culture.  It  tries,  by  every  means,  to  gain  youth  by 
giving  them  false  views  of  life,  and  filling  them  with 
hatred  against  the  Church  and  her  priests. 

And  then,  have  not  the  emissaries  of  hell  the  daily 
press  under  their  control  ? .  Pamphlets  are  constantly 
being  scattered  among  men  to  prove  that  science  has 
taken  the  place  of  religion,  and  that  bitter  is  the  con- 
flict now  raging  between  them. 

And  if,  beloved  in  Christ,  this  is  done  with  an  outlay 


426  FEAST    OF    WHIT-MONDAY. 

of  SO  much  money  and  zeal  on  the  part  of  the  an- 
tagonists of  the  Church  through  vanity  and  malice, 
should  not  the  children  of  the  Church  emulate  these 
evil  exertions  in  an  opposite  direction,  and  do  all  in 
their  power  to  disseminate  good  books  over  the  world  ? 
We  should  also  take  care  that  we,  ourselves,  are  thor- 
oughly instructed  in  matters  of  faith,  and  then  take 
every  opportunity  to  aid  in  enlightening  others. 

We  should  support  the  Catholic  press,  and  distrib- 
ute books  and  pamphlets  to  counteract,  as  much  as 
possible,  the  effects  of  those  sent  forth  by  the  apostles 
of  hell. 

Let  us  act  In  this  manner,  and  the  kingdom  of  God 
will  increase  in  the  world,  and,  with  it,  our  merits, 
through  the  constant  imitation  of  the  apostolic  Chris- 
tians — Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  MOST  HOLY  TRINITY. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

*'Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations;  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." — Matt,  xxviii,  19. 

THE  beautiful  chain  of  festivals  commemorating  the 
mysteries  of  the  redemption,  linked  together  by 
so  many  golden  memories  of  fervor  and  piety,  i^ fin- 
ished ;  but  ere  it  is  laid  aside — not,  indeed,  as  some 
thing  to  be  no  longer  cared  for,  but  as  a  precious  as- 
surance of  faith  and  hope  and  love — the  Church  adds 
one  more  brilliant  ornament  to  it,  which  is  the  Feast 
of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity.  This  gives  us  to  under- 
stand that  although  every  feast,  properly  speaking,  is 
celebrated  only  for  the  greater  glorification,  honor,  and 
adoration  of  the  triune  God,  it  is  nevertheless  most  sal- 
utary for  the  children  of  the  Church  to  be,  by  an  es- 
pecial solemnity,  reminded  of  the  dogma  of  this  incom- 
prehensible mystery. 

The  celebration  of  this  festival  can  not  fail  to  inspire 
us  with  more  ardent  sentiments  of  love  and  gratitude, 
and  a  determination  to  pay  undivided  homage  to  each 
of  the  three  Divine  Persons,  since  each  one  bore  a  part 

in  the  redemption  of  man. 

28  (427) 


428  FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY    TRINITY. 

God  the  Father  sent  His  only-begotten  Son  Into 
the  world  to  save  us;  God  the  Son  assumed  human 
nature  and  redeemed  us,  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost 
bestowed  upon  us  the  precious  fruits  of  redemption. 

In  reality  we  shall  celebrate  this  feast  only  in  heaven 
— forever !  The  commemoration  to-day,  however,  or 
as  we  may  say,  the  vigil  of  the  perpetual  feast,  will 
exert  a  most  beneficial  influence  upon  our  lives. 

The  veneration  of  the  Most  Blessed  Trinity,  in  the 
spirit  of  the  ecclesiastical  celebration  of  to-day ,  indicates 
how  we  should  begin,  in  some  degree,  to  lead  the  life 
of  the  blessed  in  heaven,  ere  yet  we  are  called  to  leave 
this  vale  of  tears. 

And  this  I  will  place  before  you  for  consideration 
to-day. 

0  Mary,  daugliter  of  the  eternal  Father,  Mother  of 
the  Incarnate  Son,  and  spouse  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth, 
help  us  to  live  so  that  the  guardian  angel  of  every 
Christian  present  here  will  be  permitted  to  direct  to 
Him  the  blessed  words:  **The  Lord  is  with  thee ! " 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  of  God  ! 

''Our  conversation  is  in  heaven,'*  says  the  Apostle 
of  the  Gentiles  to  us,  from  which  arises  the  question  : 
''  But  in  what  consists  the  essential  life  of  the  saints 
in  heaven  ?  "  I  answer  :  They  are  with  God  ;  they  be- 
hold Him  face  to  face ;  adore,  thank  Him,  and  are 
united  with  God ;  the  essential,  infinite  love  and  beat- 


FIRST   SERMON.  429 

itude,  in  a  manner  that  they  seem  rather  to  be  more 
divine  than  created  beings. 

This  is  the  state  of  the  blessed,  as  we  learn  from 
the  Roman  Catechism;  and  this  in  itself  declares  in 
what  our  conversation  must  consist,  that  we,  accord- 
ing to  the  challenge  of  the  Apostle,  may,  while  still 
on  earth,  live  as  if  already  in  the  realms  of  bliss. 

We  must  enter,  as  it  were,  into  the  very  spirit  of 
prayer,  so  that,  after  having  communed  with  our  God, 
we  may  still  remain  always  in  His  holy  presence,  and 
view  the  world  and  its  creatures,  not  merely  with  our 
corporeal  eyes,  but  in  the  light  of  faith  ;  offering  not 
only  at  the  hour  of  prayer  our  acts  of  adoration, 
thanksgiving,  and  love  to  God,  but  encouraging  such 
dispositions  at  every  moment  of  our  lives.  This  is  the 
state  of  prayer  to  which  Christ  refers  when  he  enjoins 
us  to  "  pray  always  ;  "  that  is,  to  pray  so  that  we  may 
exclaim  with  the  beloved  in  the  Canticle  of  Canticles  : 
*'I  sleep,  but  my  heart  watcheth."  ''I  remain  united 
with  my  God."  That  these  may  be,  indeed,  the  affec- 
tions of  our  hearts,  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that 
we  henceforth  think  particularly,  and  often,  of  this 
great  mystery,  and  cherish  a  special  devotion  to  it. 

We  read  of  a  holy  hermit  who  ascended  daily  an 
elevated  piece  of  ground,  from  the  summit  of  which 
he  enjoyed  a  most  exquisite  view  of  the  surrounding 
landscape.  A  fertile  plain  lay  at  the  base  of  the  mount, 
watered  by  a  limpid  stream,  the  windings  of  which,  as 
it  occasionally  peeped  forth  from  the  thick  foliage 
which  shaded  its  banks,  gave  it  the  appearance  of  a 


430  FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY    TRINITY. 

broad  and  shining  band  of  silver.  Far  beyond  was 
seen  ''the  deep  blue  sea,"  which  seemed  to  blend  with 
the  heavens  it  reflected  in  its  depths. 

Sometimes  the  hermit  would  postpone  his  visit  until 
the  eventide,  when  the  azure  sky  would  be  brilliant 
and  sparkling  with  stars — those  radiant  worlds  of  light 
on  which  it  is  joy  to  gaze — or  the  fair  queen  of  night 
would  remain  suspended  in  space  above  the  ocean,  as 
if  entranced  by  the  image  she  beheld  therein.  The 
hermit  would  gaze  around  upon  this  wondrous  beauty, 
and  prostrate  himself  in  profound  adoration,  while,  for 
hours  together,  his  prayer  consisted  of  nothing  but  the 
constant  repetition  of  those  words  of  praise :  ''  Glory 
be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy 
Ghost."  And  then  he  would  extend  his  arms  to 
heaven,  as  if  longing  to  soar  to  that  loveliness  of  which 
this  fair  earth  is  but  .a  faint  type. 

We  may,  perhaps,  ask  ourselves  what  sentiments 
filled  this  hermit's  heart  when  he  thus  prayed.  Yet, 
my  dearest  Christians,  the  question  would  be  need- 
less ;  for  our  own  hearts  should  tell  us  this.  If,  with  a 
lively  faith  we  think  upon  the  relation  which  the  Three 
Divine  Persons  bear  to  each  other  and  to  us,  and  how 
in  all  the  beauties  of  the  earth  and  sea  and  sky  we 
should  behold  the  might  and  majesty  of  the  adorable 
Trinity, — the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, — certainly 
affections  of  adoration,  thanksgivingy  and  love  should 
animate  our  prayers,  and  bear  them  on  high  to  the 
throne  of  God.  They  should  replenish  our  souls  with 
love,  and  exercise  such  an  influence  upon  our  every 


FIRST    SERMON.  43  I 

act,  that  although  still  on  earth  we  shall  live  as  do  the 
saints  in  heaven. 

It  is  by  frequent  meditation  upon  the  Three  Divine 
Persons,  and  their  infinite  perfections,  that  this  three- 
fold disposition  will  spring  up  within  us  to  strengthen 
us,  and  render  our  lives  faithful  for  the  home  beyond 
the  skies. 

The  thought  of  the  eternal  Father  as  the  first  prin- 
ciple of  the  other  two  Divine  Persons  reminds  us  sol- 
emnly of  the  perfection  of  the  divine  nature  ;  and,  in- 
deed, who  could  reflect  upon  the  glorious  attributes 
of  the  triune  God  in  His  eternal  existence,  and  in  the 
external  relations  of  His  perfections,  without  feelings 
of  the  most  profound  admiration,  praise,  and  adoration? 

God,  considered  in  Himself,  has  existed  of  Himself 
from  all  eternity,  as  the  infinitely  perfect  Being.  In. 
Him  are  Three  Divine  Persons,  and  yet,  incomprehen- 
sible mystery  !  He  is  but  one.  How  can  man  think  of 
this  wonderful  truth  without  sinking  down  before  the 
throne  of  God,  to  adore  Him  with  all  the  celestial 
hosts  ? 

This  perfection  also  beams  forth  in  the  most  diverse 
relations  exteriorly,  as  the  infinite  power,  wisdom,  sanc- 
tity, justice,  long-suffering,  truth,  majesty,  fidelity,  love, 
beauty,  and  beatitude.  Every  contemplative  soul  who 
becomes  absorbed  In  the  immensity  of  these  perfec- 
tions, as  holy  faith  teaches  us  to  believe  them,  will 
fall  at  once  into  an  abyss  of  heart-felt  admiration,  and 
sigh  forth:  ''  Lord,  triune  God — I  adore  Thee;  I  serve 
but  Thee!" 


432  FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY    TRINITY. 

The  Christian  who  meditates  upon  the  incarnate 
Son,  views  with  the  eyes  of  faith,  more  especially  the 
wonders  of  the  infinite  goodness  and  mercy  of  God, 
which  are  particularly  glorified  in  the  rescue  of  the 
fallen  human  race,  so  strikingly  indeed  that  each  indi- 
vidual soul  has  the  right  to  appropriate  whatever  was 
done  for  mankind. 

These  considerations  will  recall  many  gifts  and 
graces  conferred  upon  us  by  the  triune  God,  which 
should  merit  our  gratitude,  and  cause  us  to  say  with 
holy  David:  "What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord  for  all 
He  hath  done  for  me?"  and  also  for  His  glorious 
promises  for  all  eternity.  I  am  a  human  soul  created 
by  Thee,  O  Lord,  and  for  Thee.  I  am  Thy  own  image. 
Oh,  what  a  favor !  Once  I  was  nothing,  and  Thou  gav- 
est  unto  me  a  most  glorious  existence ;  more  glorious 
than  the  firmament  all  brilliantly  spangled  with  stars; 
more  glorious  than  the  whole  exterior  world  in  all  its 
grandeur  and  magnificence;  more  glorious  than  the 
heavens  themselves  which  so  majestically  arch  above 
the  skies.    How  I  thank  Thee,  O  God  ! 

I  behold  in  the  heavens,  indeed,  myriads  of  Angels 
to  whom  Thou  hast  also  given  a  most  glorious  des- 
tiny. Through  the  fall  of  Adam,  Thy  image  was  de- 
stroyed in  my  soul,  and  I  was  excluded  from  heaven ; 
but  Thou  didst  become  man  for  me,  and  my  nature 
became  exalted  above  the  Angels.  I  am  permitted  to 
call  Thee  my  Brother, — I  am  a  child  of  the  Church 
with  the  most  abundant  means  of  grace  at  my  com- 
mand, and  with  every  breath  I  draw  can  increase  my 


FIRST    SERMON.  433 

merits  for  heaven.  Oh,  what  indeed  can  I  render  to 
the  Lord  for  all  He  has  done  for  me  ?  What  else  but 
a  grateful  heart?  Holy  David  says:  "In  my  medita- 
tion a  fire  enkindled  itself; "  and  again  :  *'  When  Thou 
hast  enlarged  my  heart  did  I  run  in  the  way  of  Thy 
precepts." 

Now,  if  the  only  thought  of  the  glory  of  the  nature  of 
God  and  the  graces  received  from  Him  fills  the  heart 
with  affections  of  love  towards  Him  it  is  in  a  special 
manner  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  bestow  on  every 
soul  that  remains  intimately  united  with  God  in  prayer, 
the  foretaste  of  those  delights  which  will  one  day  con- 
stitute our  eternal  bliss.  The  lives  of  the  saints 
exemplify  this,  and  prove  how  great  were  the  spirit- 
ual joys  which  they  tasted  on  earth  by  constant  inter- 
course with  God. 

Although  every  soul  is  not  called  to  be  filled  with 
such  gifts  of  the  love  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  yet  their  ef- 
fects will  not  fail  for  any  one  who,  opening  his  heart 
to  the  inspirations  of  that  divine  Spirit,  will  strive  to 
walk  in  the  way  of  perfection. 

By  contemplating  the  mystery  of  the  Most  Holy 
Trinity,  he  can  acquire  that  disposition  to  which  the 
promise  of  Christ  refers  :  ''  The  Father  and  I  will  come 
to  him  to  take  up  our  abode  with  him,  in  order  to 
unite  him  with  us  once  forever  through  the  divine 
Spirit  in  the  bond  of  beatifying  love." 

May  every  soul  thus  become  intimately  united  with 
God — the  triune  Deity — forever. — Amen! 


434  FEAST   OF   THE    MOST    HOLY    TRINITY. 


SECOND  SERMON. 

"For  there  are  three  that  give  testimony:  the  Father,  the  Word,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost;  and  these  three  are  One." — i  St.  John  v,  7. 

THE  Church  commemorates  to-day,  as  every  well- 
instructed  Christian  is  fully  aware,  that  mystery 
of  faith  which  inculcates  the  belief  in  the  most  blessed 
Trinity,  or  three  Divine  Persons  in  one  God.  This 
article  of  faith  teaches  us  that  there  is  but  one  God 
and  one  divine  nature,  the  essential  self-existent, 
eternal,  and  infinite  perfection,  the  Creator  of  all 
things. 

However,  in  this  one  divine  nature  and  essence,  we 
discern  three  different  substantial  relations,  which  we 
call  persons :  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Of  these,  the  Father  is  the  principal.  From 
the  Father  the  Son  proceeds,  through  knowledge ;  the 
Holy  Ghost  proceeds  from  the  Father  and  the  Son  at 
the  same  time,  as  the  Spirit  of  love,  which  flows  from 
the  knowledge  of  the  Father  in  the  Son,  and  that  of 
the  Son  in  the  Father,  from  all  eternity,  and  beatifies 
in  an  infinite  degree,  the  plenitude  of  the  Divinity. 

It  is  our  duty,  as  rational  creatures,  to  fulfill  the 
will  of  God  in  the  most  perfect  manner,  and  to  find 
our  highest  aim,  our  greatest  delight  and  happiness, 
In  the  contemplation  of  his  adorable  perfections.  And 
that  we  may  lead  such  a  life  in  the  service  of  God,  we 
must  assiduously  practise  the  three  divine  virtues: 
faith,  hope,  and  charity,  to  which  St.  Paul  refers  when 


SECOND    SERMON.  435 

he  says:  "Now  there  remain  faith,  hope,  and  char- 
ity;" of  which  we  may  say:  ''And  these  three  are 
one." 

Let  us  consider  to-day  in  what  relation  these  three 
divine  virtues  stand  to  the  three  divine  persons  of  the 
Trinity,  and  how  they^  with  united  strength ^  exert  a 
sanctifying  influence  upon  our  lives. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  knowledge,  of  holy  hope,  and 
of  fair  love,  who  didst  possess  a  most  perfect  faith, 
hope,  and  love,  pray  for  us,  that  we  may  become 
strengthened  in  these  three  divine  virtues ;  at  every 
breath  we  draw,  and  through  our  lives,  give  God 
honor  arid  glory.  ' 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God. 


"  Whosoever  approaches  God,  must  believe,"  as  the 
Apostle  assures  us.  And  in  another  place  he  says : 
*'Now  there  remain  three:  faith,  hope,  and  charity." 
And  again:  ''Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please 
God." 

It  is,  indeed,  the  light  of  faith  which  has  revealed 
to  us  the  existence  of  the  world,  the  creation  of  man, 
his  final  destination,  his  fall,  and  redemption. 

Faith  points  to  that  Church  which  God  established 
upon  earth  for  the  salvation  of  man.  He  Himself 
transmitted  to  us  the  word  of  faith  and  the  most 
abundant  means  of  salvation ;  and  it  is  by  faith  that 
we  learn  what  awaits  us  after  death. 


43^  FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY    TRINITY. 

It  is  faith  which  places  before  our  eyes,  on  the  one 
hand,  the  deformity  of  sin,  and,  on  the  other,  the  en- 
tire beauty  of  virtue. 

Faith  teaches,  at  the  same  time,  our  relations  to 
each  other  as  children  of  whom  Adam  and  Eve  were 
the  common  parents ;  as  children  of  the  same  family 
of  God — that  is,  the  Holy  Church  on  earth.  Faith 
teaches,  moreover,  with  what  zeal  we  should  en- 
deavor to  fulfill  the  duties  of  mutual  charity,  each  one 
assisting  the  other  in  his  temporal  needs,  but  still 
more  in  his  spiritual  wants,  for  the  love  of  God,  and 
exercising  a  tender  solicitude  that  all  over  whom  we 
have  any  influence  should  serve  God  and  live  accord- 
ing to  His  divine  law.  For,  by  confessing  and  prac- 
tising the  precepts  of  that  One  only  true  and  beatify- 
ing faith  we  can  truly  serve  Him,  and  become  forever 
blessed. 

It  is  faith,  also,  which  infuses  into  our  hearts  the 
feeling  that  we  not  only  have  strength  sufficient,  but 
possess  the  will  to  live  in  such  a  manner  as  to  keep 
constantly  before  our  eyes  the  truths  of  our  holy  faith, 
and  to  have  frequent  recourse  to  the  means  of  salva- 
tion, which  Christ  bequeathed  to  His  Church — prayer, 
union  with  Christ  in  the  most  holy  Sacrament,  and  re- 
flection upon  the  examples  of  the  good  who  have  gone 
before  us,  and  who,  without  a  single  exception,  have 
conquered  through  the  strength  of  this  divine  faith. 

Very  justly  does  St.  Peter  cry  out  to  us:  ''Seize 
the  shield  of  faith,  upon  which  all  the  poisonous 
darts  of  the  temptations  of  the  world,  the  flesh,  and 


SECOND    SERMON.  437 

the  devil  fall  powerless,  and  rebound  harmless."  St. 
Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  whose  words, 
as  often  as  we  hear  them,  never  fail  to  animate,  con- 
firm, and  encourage  us  in  the  consoling  truth,  says : 
*'By  faith,  Abel  offered  to  God  a  sacrifice,  and  ob- 
tained a  testimony  that  he  was  just.  By  faith,  Henoch 
was  translated  to  heaven,  and  received  the  testimony 
that  he  was  pleasing  to  God.  By  faith,  Noe  was  in- 
stituted heir  of  justice.  By  faith,  Abraham  obtained 
the  promise  that  his  posterity  should  be  multiplied, 
even  as  the  stars  in  the  sky,  and  that  all  genera- 
tions should  be  blessed  through  him.  By  faith,  Moses 
passed  through  the  Red  Sea  with  the  children  of 
Israel.  By  faith,  the  walls  of  Jericho  were  rased  to 
the  ground.  And,  what  shall  I  furthermore  say  of 
all  the  prophets  and  just  men  who  were  persecuted, 
stoned  to  death  by  their  enemies,  and  deprived  of 
life  by  the  sword.  All  were  proved  by  faith,  and  ob- 
tained the  crown  of  victory." 

And,  therefore,  we  have  so  great  a  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses, particularly  if  we  look  at  the  multitude  of 
those  who,  since  the  earthly  life  of  Christ,  conquered 
by  faith  and  entered  upon  the  joys  of  heaven. 

Of  this  divine  virtue  we  are  especially  reminded 
by  God  the  Father:  ''The  words  which  I  make 
known  to  you,"  says  Christ,  ''I  have  brought  from 
heaven  from  my  Father;"  and  the  Apostles'  Creed 
begins  with  the  words :  "  I  believe  in  God  the  Father." 
He  it  is  Who  is  the  Source  of  all  revelation,  and  Who 
has  sent  His  only-begotten  Son  to  announce  it  to  us. 


43 S  FEAST    OF    THE     MOST    HOLY    TRINITY. 

The  second  of  the  divine  virtues  is  Hope,  by  which 
we  confidently  trust  that  God  will  lead  us  to  the 
possession  of  that  eternal  beatitude,  for  which  He 
has  created  us ;  for  God,  Who  is  truth  and  infinite 
goodness,  wishes  it  infinitely  more  than  man  does,  or 
can  desire  it.  Therefore  He  is  always  ready  to  give 
us  every  means  by  which  we  may  attain  the  consum- 
mation of  that  work. 

And  what,  indeed,  could  be  more  fitted  to  strengthen 
us  in  this  assurance  of  faith,  than  an  unfaltering  hope 
in  Christ,  and  a  loving  glance  at  Him,  the  incarnate 
Son  of  God  !  Remembering  His  Incarnation,  we  feel, 
in  the  innermost  depths  of  our  hearts,  the  truth  of 
the  words  of  St.  Paul,  when  he  cries  out  to  us:  "If 
God  the  Father  has  given  to  us  His  only-begotten 
Son  Himself,  has  He  not  given  us,  through  Him,  all 
things  ?  " 

Well  may  the  prophet  exclaim:  ''They  will  look  at 
Him  Whom  they  have  transfixed."  Look  at  Him  to 
regret  the  sins  you  have  committed ;  but  also  look  at 
Him  to  be  saved  through  Him,  strengthened  and  en- 
lightened through  His  imitation,  and  aided  by  His 
holy  grace,  to  walk  in  the  way  of  perfection.  Let  the 
cost  be  what  it  may,  even  the  loss  of  all  you  hold 
dearest  on  earth.  Do  this  and  you  will  be  saved. 
Follow  the  example  of  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faith- 
ful, who,  as  St.  Paul  testifies,  "hoped  against  hope," 
and  in  this  manner  obtained  the  promise  that,  through 
him,  all  generations  on  earth  should  be  blessed  and  re- 
deemed. 


SECOND    SERMON.  439 

Therefore  the  same  Apostle  of  nations  has  every 
reason  to  say  to  us:  "Through  hope,  we  were  res- 
cued;" and  what,  my  brethren,  can  so  certainly  and 
speedily  bestow  upon  us  this  power  of  holy  hope  as 
the  faithful  remembrance  of  God  the  Son,  Who  be- 
came man  for  us? 

The  third  divine  virtue  which  urges  us  to  serve 
God,  is  divine  Love,  of  which  the  Third  Person  of 
the  Blessed  Trinity  reminds  us,  the  Holy  Ghost. 

By  God  the  Holy  Ghost  is  represented  the  essen- 
tial love  of  the  Father  to  the  Son,  and  the  Son  to  the 
Father  ;  therefore  the  Apostle  adds :  "And  the  great- 
est of  these  three  is  charity." 

Yes,  this  love  towards  God  is  what  will  strengthen 
and  animate  our  desire  to  serve  God,  and  to  fulfill 
His  holy  will,  not  only  by  leading  the  life  of  a  pious 
Catholic,  but  by  striving  after  perfection. 

We  are  told  by  St.  Paul:  "The  love  of  Christ 
urges  us."  It  inspires  us  with  courage  to  make  the 
resolution  to  glorify  God  by  our  holy  lives,  and  to 
propagate  His  kingdom.  "Who  shall  separate  us 
from  the  love  of  Christ?  Is  it  ignominy,  or  the  sword, 
or  persecution?"  All  these  we  conquer  through  the 
strength  of  love;  for  love  is  strong  as  death, — if  a 
man  should  give  all  the  substance  of  his  house,  he 
shall  despise  it  as  nothing.  Such  is  the  declaration 
of  Holy  Scripture  in  the  old  Testament. 

Nay,  more:  The  most  active  life  in  the  service  of 
God,  if  it  were  not  beautified  and  ennobled  by  love,  • 
would  be  of  no  avail  in  the  sight  of  God ;  and  even  if 


440  FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY    TRINITY. 

we  were,  as  the  Apostle  says,  "  to  deliver  our  bodies 
to  be  burned,  and  have  not  charity,  it  would  profit 
us  nothing." 

Such  is  the  influence  of  the  three  divine  virtues 
in  their  relation  to  the  Three  Divine  Persons  upon 
our  lives,  as  we  become  more  and  more  devoted  to 
the  service  of  God. 

As  it  was  written  of  God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost:  ''And  these  three  are  One,"  the 
same  can  also  be  said  of  the  three  divine  virtues. 
They  have  their  origin  in  God;  they  have  been  in- 
stilled into  our  hearts  by  the  Lord  Himself.  They 
are  one  in  their  effects,  for  no  one  lives  in  the  light 
of  faith,  if  his  faith  be  truly  an  active  and  meritorious 
one,  who  does  not  at  the  same  time  live  in  the  fervor 
of  hope  and  love. 

And,  my  dear  brethren,  the  more  lively  our  faith 
is,  the  more  firm  is  our  hope,  and  the  more  ardent 
our  love  towards  God. 

These  three  virtues  are  one,  indeed,  for  they  lead 
us  to  the  possession  of  our  ultimate  ..aim  and  end, 
which  is  no  other  than  God  Himself. 

Let  us,  therefore,  daily  endeavor  to  increase  in  our 
hearts  the  strength  and  fervor  of  these  three  divine 
virtues,  through  constant  remembrance  and  adoration 
of  the  mystery  of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity,  and  our 
faith  will  one  day  be  changed  to  sight,  our  hope  into 
possession,  and  our  love  to  a  perfect,  an  eternal  union 
with  God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost. — 
Amen. 


THIRD    SERMON.  441 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"In  Him  we  live  and  move  and  be." — Acts  xvii,  28. 

IF  the  various  festivals  of  the  Church  should  serve 
to  animate  our  zeal  in  the  service  of  God,  this  is 
in  an  especial  manner  true  of  the  feast  celebrated  by 
the  Church  to-day;  for  where  is  the  Christian  who 
could  think  of  the  Triune  God,  reflect  upon  this  mys- 
tery of  faith,  and  meditate  upon  the  relation  in  which 
we  stand  to  the  Three  Divine  Persons,  and  not  be 
penetrated  with  feelings  of  the  most  profound  adora- 
tion, heartfelt  thanksgiving,  and  grateful  love  ?  And 
who  indeed  could  cherish  in  his  soul  suc^  affections 
without  renewing  at  the  same  time  the  firm  resolution 
to  manifest  these  dispositions  of  heart  towards  God 
in  his  life? 

But,  beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  if  we  indeed  wish 
to  remember  our  glorious  vocation  as  children  of  the 
true  Church,  and  to  lead  lives  dedicated  to  the  serv- 
ice of  our  Creator,  let  us  not  forget  that,  as  members 
of  the  militant  Church,  we  must  fight  and  conquer, 
for  there  are  three  of  the  most  vigilant  adversaries 
that  man  could  have,  lying  in  wait  to  entrap  and  en- 
snare us  to  our  endless  ruin. 

Day  and  night  they  watch  and  wait,  putting  forth 
every  seductive  wile  to  tempt  the  human  race  and 
drag  numberless  souls  to  perdition. 

To  these  terrible  foes  may  also  be  applied  the  words 
of  Holy  Scripture  :  ''And  these  three  are  one."    One 


442  FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY  TRINITY. 

in  their  origin,  one  in  their  effects,  one  in  their  diabol- 
ical tendency  and  aim. 

Even  as  faith,  hope,  and  charity,  in  their  activity, 
comprise  in  themselves  the  true  service  of  God,  so  the 
world,  the  flesh,  a7zd  the  devil,  on  the  contrary,  signify 
apostasy  from  Him,  and  constitute  the  service  of  the 
devil. 

0  Mary,  Immaculate  Virgin,  who  didst  crush  the 
serpent's  head,  obtain  for  us  an  ardent  zeal  in  the 
service  of  thy  divine  Son ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God. 


If  a  Christian,  a  member  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church, 
would  dedicate  his  life  wholly  to  the  service  of  God, 
then  it  should  be  a  life  animated  by  faith,  hope,  and 
charity ;  and  these  three  being  one,  will  influence  his 
every  act.  What  arrays  itself  against  such  a  life  is 
that  triple  power — the  world,  the  flesh,  the  devil;  and 
**  these  three  "  are  also  "  one,"  for  they  lead  to  the  work 
of  the  devil  and  to  separation  from  God.  The  truth 
of  this  will  become  clear  to  us  if  we  place  the  three 
divine  virtues  in  contrast  to  these  three  evil  powers. 
The  former  are  essential  to  salvation ;  the  latter  will 
lead  to  perdition. 

To  enter  with  zeal  upon  the  service  of  God  we 
must  first  have  a  lively  faith — the  same  faith  which 
Christ  imparted  through  the  Prophets,  through  the 
Apostles,  and  through  Himself  to  the  world. 


THIRD    SERMON.  443 

The  true  faith  was  proved  by  miracles,  and  from 
the  first  day  of  creation  down  to  the  present  time  the 
word  of  this  faith  resounds  through  the  whole  uni- 
verse ;  for  there  is  not  a  single  word  which  the  divine 
lips  of  the  Saviour  uttered  that  did  not  send  forth  light 
to  illumine  the  soul  of  man,  while  man  on  his  part  is 
fully  conscious  that  of  himself  \i^  could  never  discern 
the  path  of  salvation.  He  is  ignorant  of  the  origin  of 
what  is  morally  evil,  the  means  by  which  sin  is  blotted 
out,  and  the  rewards  or  punishments  which  await  us 
Hereafter. 

One  would  think  that  the  world  would  be  full  of  de- 
sire to  receive  the  light  of  faith  and  instruction  there- 
in ;  but,  nevertheless,  whole  nations  still  rest  in  the 
shadow  of  death,  and  grope  in  the  darkness  of  infi- 
delity and  heresy.  They  care  little  or  nothing  for  the 
fate  of  their  souls  in  the  approaching  eternity. 

And  what,  my  brethren,  is  the  reason  of  this  ? 

Let  us  glance  at  the  first  inimical  power  and  say  it 
is  th^  flesh.  Man  will  not  deprive  himself  of  the  most 
trifling  enjoyment,  but  loves  all  that  the  world  can 
give,  especially  in  regard  to  carnal  desires.  But  faith 
speaks  the  word,  and  the  duty  of  conquering  self  and 
corrupt  human  nature,  and  saving  the  soul,  becomes 
clear. 

'*Go,"  said  Christ  to  His  disciples,  "and  preach  to 
the  world."  "What,  O  Lord?"  "Proclaim  unto  man 
that  if  he  do  not  penance,  he  must  perish  everlast- 
ingly."   "Whosoever  would  follow   Me,  must  deny 

himself."    Consider  this,  O  Christians!    "But  those 
29 


444  FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY  TRINITY. 

who  belong  to  Christ,"  exclaims  St.  Paul,  ''have  their 
flesh,  with  its  desires,  crucified;"  and  again:  **God 
forbid  that  I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of  Christ." 

Here  we  find  the  reason  why  heathenism,  which 
adored  its  own  vices  as  deities,  rejected,  and  still  re- 
jects, the  faith  of  Christ.  Is  not  that  arch-enemy  of 
the  Christian  name,  Mohametanism,  but  another  name 
for  the  pleasures  of  the  flesh  ?  Whence  came  the  in- 
troduction of  Protestantism  into  the  world  ? 

Every  one  knows  that  it  originated  in  the  broken 
vows  of  a  faithless  nun  and  a  perjured  priest,  and  in  the 
adultery  and  polygamy  of  a  lustful  king.  Ask  the  mis- 
sionaries, who  go  over  the  whole  world,  what  is  gen- 
erally the  greatest  obstacle  to  the  conversion  of  the 
heathens,  and  for  reply  they  will  tell  you  that  the 
power  which  combats  but  too  successfully  their  zeal- 
ous efforts,  is  the  flesh. 

Even  in  regard  to  those  who  believe  in  the  true 
Church,  and  are  known  as  her  children,  what  weak- 
ens and  renders  fruitless  their  faith  ?  What  causes 
those  who  boast  so  loudly  of  being  Catholics,  to  re- 
semble whitened  sepulchers,  and  puts  their  salvation 
in  the  greatest  danger?  It  is  impurity.  Yes,  it  ren- 
ders their  souls  a  thousand  times  more  hateful  in 
the  sight  of  God  than  if  they  were  heretics,  Jews,  or 
infidels ;  for  they  possess  the  light  of  faith,  yet  abuse 
it,  to  their  perdition.  Yes,  the  flesh  is  a  tyrant  to 
all  who,  perhaps  for  years,  have  worn  its  heavy 
chains.  They  may  be,  to  all  appearances.  Cath- 
olics, but  this  terrible  slavery  destroys  the  effect  of 


THIRD    SERMON.  445 

every  grace,  and  renders  useless  every  good  work 
they  perform,  even  to  the  changing  of  the  reception 
of  the  sacraments  into  sacrileges. 

Yes,  my  brethren,  such  are  the  fatal  consequences 
of  an  inordinate  desire  to  gratify  the  lusts  of  the  flesh, 
that  insatiate  monster  which  deprives  its  hapless  vic- 
tims of  their  rank  in  the  army  of  the  living  God,  and 
sends  them,  wretched  beings,  to  the  service  of  the 
king  of  hell. 

The  second  disposition  of  the  heart,  which  ennobles 
the  life  of  the  Christian  who  devotes  himself  to  the 
service  of  Gocii  is  hope.  This  divine  virtue  leads  him 
to  seek  after  the  things  which  are  above,  that,  by  ful- 
filling every  duty  of  his  state  of  life,  he  may  lay  up  a 
rich  store  of  merits  for  heaven.  This  can  be  wonder- 
fully increased  by  the  exercise  of  a  heroic  patience  in 
poverty,  sickness,  or  any  trials  which  the  Lord  may 
please  to  send  him. 

The  hostile  power  which  prevents  or  destroys  the 
effect  of  holy  hope,  is  the  world.  By  the  word  world 
we  are  to  understand  that  multitude  of  men,  who  live 
for  no  other  purpose  than  to  enjoy  the  goods  and  pleas- 
ures of  earth,  and  to  strive  after  its  honors  and  wealth. 
The  unhappy  influence  of  the  perverse  inclination  to 
follow  the  example  of  the  children  of  the  world  in  their 
greater  solicitude  for  earthly  than  heavenly  things,  is 
no  less  subversive  of  good,  than  is  that  of  the  flesh. 

The  first  beatitude  which  Christ  proclaimed  is : 
**  Blessed  are  the  poor."  On  the  contrary,  ''Woe  to 
the  rich."    *'You  can  not  serve  God  and  mammon." 


446  FEAST    OF    THE    MOST    HOLY  TRINITY. 

The  sole  thought  of  the  worldling  is  to  possess  and 
amass,  to  live  and  enjoy  for  as  long  a  duration  as  pos- 
sible, forgetful  of  the  truth  that  the  longest  life  is  but 
as  a  few  brief  moments  when  compared  to  eternity. 

The  world ! — it  takes  not  time  to  consider  whether 
the  Church  established  by  Christ  be  true  or  not ;  it 
cares  not  for  the  promises  of  faith  in  regard  to  the 
life  to  come.  Speak  to  the  worldly  man  of  spiritual 
things,  and  he  listens  with  weariness  and  disgust. 
Heaven  may  be  heaven,  with  all  its  promises,  for  all 
the  interest  he  takes.  But  change  the  subject  to  some 
means  of  amassing  wealth  or  promoting  his  temporal 
welfare,  and  he  can  not  evince  too  great  an  interest. 
The  same  is  true  of  the  honors  of  the  world.  All  are 
anxious  to  take  as  exalted  a  position  as  possible,  fre- 
quently sacrificing  principle  to  obtain  it ;  and  thus, 
through  a  slavish  fear  of  man,  they  falter  in  good,  and 
perhaps  prove  entirely  false  to  their  allegiance  to  God. 

Charity  is  the  third  divine  virtue  which  leaves  its 
impress  on  the  life  devoted  to  the  service  of  God.  It 
is  charity  which  inspires  us  to  make  every  effort  to 
manifest,  by  an  entire  union  with  Him,  that  we  are  His 
in  poverty  and  abundance,  honor  and  dishonor,  sick- 
ness and  health,  time  and  eternity. 

The  heart  which  is  inflamed  with  this  love,  has  one 
only  desire,  which  is,  to  glorify  God,  to  be  united  to 
Him  in  perfect  indifference  to  creatures,  which  it  is 
willing  to  possess  or  reject,  as  God  wills. 

In  never-ceasing  opposition  to  this  disposition  of 
heart  is  enlisted  the  devil.    The  standard  which  Luci- 


THIRD    SERMON.  447 

fer  raised  in  heaven,  represented  pride,  self-conceit, 
and  self-adoration ;  and  those  who  walk  under  it  no 
longer  wish  to  fulfill  God's  holy  will.  An  inordinate 
love  of  creatures  prevents  them  in  a  thousand  ways. 

Behold  here  the  destructive  influence  of  the  world, 
the  flesh,  and  the  devil.  ''And  these  three  are  one." 
One  in  their  origin,  which  dates  back  to  the  downfall 
of  our  first  parents  in  Paradise  ;  one  in  their  effects 
against  the  influence  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity,  whose 
aim  is  union  with  God  in  the  present  and  future  life; 
while  that  of  the  three  inimical  powers  is  eternal  sep- 
aration from  Him,  apostasy  from  Christ,  an  eternity 
of  pain,  and  endless  despair. 

In  conclusion,  therefore,  beloved  in  Christ,  may  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  protect  us,  and  preserve 
us  in  united  love,  compassion,  and  grace,  from  these 
three  enemies  of  our  salvation,  so  terrible  to  contend 
with — the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil. — Amen  ! 


FEAST  OF  CORPUS  CHRISTI. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

*«  Oh,  if  thou  didst  know  the  gift  of  God,  and  Who  it  is  that  speaks  to 
thee." — John  iv,  lo. 

THE  fairest  month,  the  loveliest  flowers,  the  bright- 
est skies,  the  sweetest  music,  the  most  brilliant 
lights,  the  most  fragrant  incense,  and  the  ardent  love 
of  devout  hearts  unite  to  do  honor  to  this  feast,  which 
is  so  essentially  one  of  love,  commemorating,  as  it  does, 
the  perpetual  presence  of  Jesus  in  the  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment among  His  faithful  children. 

On  the  eve  of  His  passion — that  eve  so  sad,  and  yet 
so  replete  with  holy  joy — Christ,  my  dearest  brethren, 
as  you  all  well  know,  instituted  and  bequeathed  this 
precious  boon  to  us ;  but,  as  the  Church,  in  Holy  Week, 
is  entirely  absorbed  in  meditating  upon  His  bitter  sor- 
rows, she  wishes  her  children  to  participate  therein. 
Full  of  faith,  this  tender  Mother  is  overwhelmed  with 
mournful  memories  when  she  casts  a  glance  at  the 
Lamb  of  God  "which  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the 
world  "  at  the  cost  of  such  a  tremendous  sacrifice. 

It  is  true  she  entones  the  ''Gloria"  at  the  Mass  on 
Holy  Thursday,  celebrated  in  commemoration  of  this 

Most  Blessed  Sacrament,  as,  for  a  few  brief  moments, 

(448) 


FIRST    SERMON.  449 

the  tide  of  thanksgiving,  which  surges  over  her  heart, 
absorbs  the  grief  that  lies  in  its  depths ;  and  this  grate- 
ful joy  finds  vent  in  the  ringing  of  bells,  the  organ's 
pealing  sound,  and  the  Gloria's  triumphant  strain. 
But,  suddenly,  all  is  hushed,  and  the  memory  of  the 
pain  and  anguish  crowded  into  one  short  week  in  the 
life  of  our  Lord  comes  on  again,  and  no  sound  of  joy 
is  heard  until  the  Resurrection  is  at  hand. 

Then  follows  the  solemn  commemoration  of  the 
various  divine  facts  in  the  order  of  salvation.  After 
Easter  comes  the  Ascension  of  the  Lord,  and  the  de- 
scent of  the  Holy  Ghost  on  Pentecost,  which  beaute- 
ous wreath  of  festivals  is  closed  by  the  Feast  of  the 
Most  Holy  Trinity. 

When  this  wreath,  in  which  have  been  twined  so 
many  holy  thoughts  and  fervent  desires,  is  laid  before 
the  throne  of  the  Most  High,  the  Church  avails  her- 
self of  the  Thursday  immediately  succeeding;  and, 
obeying  the  impulse  of  her  joy  and  gratitude  for  that 
precious  and  heavenly  gift,  the  Blessed  Sacrament, 
summons  her  children  to  take  part  In  the  celebration, 
and  calls  upon  heaven  and  earth  to  assist  therein. 
And  as  though  the  walls,  even  of  the  most  spacious 
edifice,  were  too  limited  for  the  excess  of  her  devo- 
tion, she  leads  the  rejoicing  multitude  to  the  great 
temple  of  Nature,  and  enjoins  them  to  bring  the  fair- 
est flowers  of  the  garden  to  beautify  the  pathway 
over  which  the  King  of  kings  is  to  be  borne  on  high 
by  the  priests  of  His  Church.  And  so,  in  every  part 
of  the  world,  thousands  and  millions  of  loving  hearts 


450  FEAST    OF    CORPUS    CHRISTI. 

send  forth  the  anthem  of  praise,  and  receive  the  bene- 
diction of  Jesus  in  the  Most  Adorable  Sacrament. 

Let  us  briefly  consider  what  there  is  i7i  the  divine 
gift  thus  bestowed  upon  us  through  Christ.  The  dif- 
ferent names  which  the  Church  applies  to  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  will  assist  us  i^i  this, 

0  Mary,  from  whom  Jesus  did  take  the  flesh  and 
blood  which  we  receive  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament, 
obtain  for  us  a  most  ardent  love  to  Him  in  this  sub- 
lime mystery! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


**  If  thou  didst  but  know  the  gift  of  God  which  is 
imparted  to  thee,  and  Who  it  is  Who  speaks  to  thee." 

These  words  of  Christ,  addressed  to  the  Samaritan 
woman,  relate,  in  their  application,  also  to  every  Chris- 
tian soul  who  appears  before  Christ  in  the  Sacrament 
of  the  Altar.  In  the  strictest  sense  of  the  word,  no  one 
has  ever  existed,  even  among  the  greatest  saints,  who 
could  behold  the  miracle  of  miracles  distinctly  before 
him,  and  discern  its  grandeur,  majesty,  and  wondrous 
power.  It  is  a  divine  fact,  to  which,  with  a  particular 
emphasis,  the  words  of  the  Psalmist  may  be  applied  : 
'*God  hath  created  a  wonder  of  wonders;  He  hath 
given  food  to  them  that  fear  Him." 

The  presence  of  Christ,  by  the  changing  of  the  bread 
and  wine  into  His  body  and  blood,  is  a  divine  fact  which, 
even  to  the  understanding  of  the  angels,  remains  in- 


FIRST    SERMON.  45  I 

comprehensible.  But  we  are,  nevertheless,  able  to  un- 
derstand so  much  of  the  ineffable  majesty,  sanctity, 
and  efficacy  of  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  that  we  feel 
encouraged  and  impelled  not  only  to  join  in  the  rejoic- 
ings of  the  Church  with  our  whole  hearts,  for  this 
day  alone,  but  to  dedicate  our  entire  lives  to  the  ado- 
ration of  Christ  therein,  and,  so  to  say,  live  only  for 
Him,  present  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament. 

The  different  names  by  which  the  Church  distin- 
guishes this  most  divine  gift  indicate,  in  themselves,  the 
individual  graces  which  we  must  consider  in  order  to 
learn  to  know  it,  and  zealously  use  it,  in  all  its  greatness. 

The  Church  calls  it,  first :  ''The  Sacrament  oi^Faith^ 
and  most  justly,  for  there  is  present  the  Founder  of 
faith,  Jesus  Christ.  Here  we  have  the  opportunity 
to  make  the  act  of  faith  in  its  entire  extent,  in  all  its 
strength. 

With  every  act  of  faith  man  confesses  indeed  to  be- 
lieve the  Church  as  the  infallible  teacher,  given  us  by 
God  to  guide  us  in  all  matters  of  faith ;  and  so  he  be- 
lieves and  confesses,  although  he  sees  not  what  he  be- 
lieves, upon  the  word  of  the  Church  alone.  For  ex- 
ample :  He  believes  and  confesses  that  original  sin  is 
washed  away  by  the  Sacrament  of  Baptism,  although 
he  most  certainly  does  not  see  it.  But  now,  in  regard 
to  the  Holy  Eucharist,  man  believes  in  spite  of  what 
he  sees  and  feels  ;  and  therein  consists  the  triumph 
of  faith  and  the  excellence  of  the  act  when  we,  as 
children  of  the  Church,  confess  the  doctrine  of  the 
Real  Presence. 


452  FEAST    OF  CORPUS    CHRISTI. 

At  the  same  time,  this  sacrament  also  points  to  the 
Church  herself  as  administering  and  dispensing  the 
mysteries  of  grace  in  the  New  Law. 

She  designates  this  Blessed  Sacrament  as  the  Sac- 
rifice of  the  New  Testament.  It  is,  in  fact,  the  Sun 
of  the  divine  service  therein.  Wherever  her  validly 
ordained  ministers,  the  priests  of  God,  are,  there  also 
is  celebrated  the  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass.  There  the 
means  of  salvation  are  effectively  distributed ;  there 
a  brilliant  light  illumines  the  pathway  to  heaven.  What 
a  motive  for  rejoicing ! 

The  Church  also  calls  this  sacrament  the  bread  of 
the  strong.  To  possess  the  light  of  true  faith  is  cer- 
tainly an  immeasurable  happiness,  but  it  depends  on 
an  obligation  fulfilled.  We  must  live  in  accordance 
with  its  principles ;  for  from  him  who  has  received 
much,  much  will  be  required. 

But  we  are  too  often  ready  to  falter  and  well  nigh 
faint  in  our  efforts  to  live  as  faithful  members  of  the 
Holy  Church,  free  from  sin,  strong  and  invincible  in 
the  combat  with  Satan,  zealous  and  full  of  courage 
to  advance  in  the  practice  of  virtue.  What  a  sweet 
solace  it  is,  therefore,  to  the  heart,  that  the  Church 
can  point  to  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  with  the  as- 
surance that  it  is  the  frequent  and  worthy  reception 
of  this  august  gift  which  deadens  the  power  of  pas- 
sion in  its  very  beginning,  so  that  it  can  be  easily 
overcome. 

As  to  our  efforts  to  attain  perfection,  to  which  holy 
faith  challenges  us,  how  could  we  be  wanting  in  grace 


\  FIRST    SERMON.  453 

if  we  receive  Jesus  Himself,  the  source  of  all  grace? 
How  intimately  are  not  we  united  to  Him  through 
the  reception  of  Holy  Communion  ?  He,  the  Al- 
mighty,— benign,  infinite,  and  omniscient, — is  with  us, 
the  knowledge  of  which  can  not  fail  to  multiply  our 
hopes  of  heaven,  and  increase  our  strength  to  resist 
temptation. 

Yes,  so  wonderful  are  the  effects  of  this  Sacrament, 
that  the  holy  fathers  can  not  find  words  to  express  their 
astonishment  and  admiration.  They  say,  even  as  wax 
melts  into  wax,  and  as  air  fills  space,  so  do  the  Body 
and  Blood,  Soul  and  Divinity  of  Christ,  become  united 
with  us  in  Holy  Communion.  We  become,  as  it  were, 
one  with  Him,  in  regard  to  His  Humanity  united  with 
His  Divinity.  What  a  motive  of  rejoicing  for  a  soul 
that  loves  Jesus  with  the  desire  to  be  dissolved  and  be 
with  Him ! 

The  reception  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament  bestows 
upon  us  a  foretaste  of  heaven,  as  is  intimated  by  the 
prayer  of  the  Church  in  the  Mass  for  Corpus  Christi : 
*'  O  God,  make  us  partakers  of  the  possession  of  Thee 
forever,  the  delights  of  which  are  foreshadowed  on  earth 
by  Thy  Flesh  and  Blood." 

The  Church,  therefore,  styles  the  Most  Holy  Sacra- 
ment the  man7ia  of  heaven,  containing  all  sweetness. 

A  life  wholly  devoted  to  faith  has  also  its  trials,  and, 
at  times,  they  are  very  bitter ;  but  let  the  afflicted  soul 
once  enter  into  the  personal  knowledge  and  love  of 
Christ,  by  a  devout  intercourse  with  Him  in  the  Sac- 
ment'of  Love,  and  a  balm  for  all  those  troubles  will 


454  FEAST   OF    CORPUS    CHRISTI. 

soon  be  found — "a  manna  having  in  it  all  sweetness 
and  delight."  There  is  no  sorrow  for  which  it  does 
not  bring  relief. 

The  Church  also  calls  this  sacrament  the  bread  of 
Angels.  Those  pure  spirits  hover  day  and  night  over 
the  altars  in  the  tabernacles  of  which  the  Blessed  Sac- 
rament is  kept;  and  its  presence  fills  them  with  inex- 
pressible delight,  as  we  learn  from  St.  Peter.  Our  joy, 
however,  should  be  more  exquisite  still ;  for.  Him  whom 
they  adore  we  receive,  and  take  into  our  very  hearts — 
a  happiness  which  certainly  foreshadows  that  of  heaven. 
Ah,  no !  we  must  not  envy  the  angels ;  rather  should 
we  be  subjects  of  their  holy  envy. 

The  Church  calls  the  Blessed  Sacrament  the  Viati- 
cum— the  pledge  of  our  future  glory;  for  Christ  Him- 
self assures  us  that  "whosoever  eats  of  this  Bread  will 
live  forever."  *'  He  abides  in  Me,  and  I  in  him."  '*  He 
will  have  eternal  life." 

What  incentives  to  hope  can  be  found  in  these  as- 
sertions of  Christ,  on  which  we  can  fully  rely  as 
coming  from  the  Eternal  Truth.  Even  if  they  had  not 
proceeded  from  the  Divine  Lips,  our  own  intrinsic  con- 
sciousness would  say:  *'  Never,  ah!  never  would  our 
Saviour  say  to  the  Christian — who  has  devoted  him- 
self to  the  love  of  this  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  lived 
only  for  it,  remained  in  its  presence,  received  it  in 
Holy  Communion — never,  I  say,  would  He  utter  to 
him  the  terrible  words:  "Depart  from  Me!"  No; 
rather  would  He  address  the  faithful  soul,  cheered 
by  the  holy  Viaticum,  with  the  consoling  invitation: 


FIRST   SERMON.  455 

*'Come  now,  faithful  soul,  behold  My  glory  not  shad- 
owed by  the  mystic  vails  which  shroud  My  Majesty  on 
earth.  Enter  into  the  knowledge  of  My  beatitude, 
as  thou  hast  entered  into  the  enjoyment  of  My  love 
through  the  Most  Blessed  Sacrament  of  the  Altar." — 
Amen ! 


45^  FEAST    OF    CORPUS    CHRISTI. 


SECOND  SERMON. 

"Blessed  are  they  that  have  not  seen,  and  have  believed." — John  xx,  29. 

"QLESSED  are  they  who  see  not,  and  yet  be- 
JD  lieve;"  this  assurance  of  the  Lord  to  those 
who  surrounded  Him,  when  He,  in  visible  form,  dwelt 
upon  this  earth,  verifies  itself  in  all  its  truth  and  im- 
portance, when  we  apply  it  to  His  sacramental  pres- 
ence on  our  altars. 

Here,  indeed,  is  the  same  Jesus  present,  who  at 
Bethlehem  reposed  in  the  manger,  who  lived  at  Naza- 
reth with  Mary  and  Joseph,  journeyed  through  Pales- 
tine, and  died  upon  Calvary.  It  is  the  same  Jesus 
Whom,  at  this  very  moment,  the  angels  and  all  the  ce- 
lestial inhabitants  now  contemplate  in  His  glory. 

St.  Augustine  was  wont  to  say  that  the  dearest  wish 
of  his  heart  was,  that  he  could  have  seen  Jesus  in  His 
visible  presence  on  earth.  This  is  but  natural ;  yet  if 
we  consider  what  advantages  and  graces  are  bestowed 
upon  us  through  the  personal  presence  of  Christ  in 
the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  we  might  venture  to  say 
to  the  great  Saint  that,  although  we  certainly  do  not 
enjoy  the  consolation  of  seeing  Jesus  with  the  eyes 
of  the  body,  as  did  those  who  had  personal  intercourse 
with  Him,  yet  the  presence  of  Christ  in  the  Most  Holy 
Sacrament,  after  His  ascension  into  Heaven,  is  accom- 
panied with  privileges  which  makes  it  preferable  even 
to   that  happiness,  for   it  reveals   to   us  sources   of 


SECOND    SERMON.  457 

grace  which  were  unknown  to  those  who  lived  with 
Christ  on  earth. 

Let  us  consider  to-day  the  arguments  on  which  this 
assertion  is  based,  and  we  shall  then  celebrate  the  Feast 
of  Corpus  Chris ti  with  so  much  greater  joy  and  grat- 
iiude. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  Jesus,  blessed  are  thine  eyes, 
which  beheld  Jesus  upon  earth;  but  obtain  for  us  the 
grace  to  look  at  Him  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament 
with  the  eyes  of  faith,  in  union  with  the  love  of  thy 
faithful  heart! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


Jesus  said  to  His  disciples:  **  Blessed  are  the  eyes 
which  see  what  you  see." 

The  prophets  most  ardently  longed  for  it,  and  this 
happiness  was  not  their  portion. 

Even  Abraham  did  not  enjoy  it,  and  nevertheless, 
I  say  we  have  no  reason  to  envy  those  who  saw  Jesus 
on  earth,  if  we  faithfully  and  lovingly  look  at  Him  in 
the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  and  earnestly  avail  our- 
selves of  the  graces  which  His  real  presence  discloses 
to  us  therein.  This  will  become  evident  if  we  think 
particularly  of  those  four  hallowed  places  in  the  life 
of  our  Lord,  which  are  so  rich  in  sacred  memories  of 
the  redemption  and  deliverance  of  mankind  through 
Christ,  and  rise  up  with  especial  splendor  before  our 
eyes. 


45^  FEAST    OF    CORPUS    CHRISTI. 

They  are :  the  Grotto  at  Bethlehem ;  the  house  at 
Nazareth;  the  Hall  of  the  last  Supper  at  Jerusalem, 
and  the  cross  on  Calvary. 

I  said,  first,  the  Grotto  and  Crib  at  Bethlehem. 
There  are  many  circumstances  in  the  life  of  Christ 
recorded  in  the  gospel ;  but  in  the  estimation  of  eyei^y 
faithful,  contemplative,  loving  soul,  those  four  holy 
spots  especially  call  forth  in  our  hearts  the  wish  that 
we  had  seen  Jesus  on  earth. 

Have  we  not,  most  beloved  in  Christ,  frequently 
longed  to  have  been,  for  instance,  among  the  watch- 
ing shepherds,  when  suddenly  the  angels,  surrounded 
with  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  addressed  to  them  the  wel- 
come words  :  **  Behold,  I  bring  you  glad  tidings  of 
great  joy,  for  this  day  is  born  to  you  a  Saviour  Who 
is  Christ  the  Lord :  and  you  shall  find  the  Infant 
wrapped  in  swaddling  clothes  in  a  manger?" 

And  they  obeyed,  and  were  so  highly  favored  as 
to  find  the  divine  Child,  the  Infant  Saviour,  Who  was 
to  open  heaven  for  man.  Oh,  with  what  rapture  and 
delight,  with  what  affections  of  gratitude  and  love  did 
they  prostrate  themselves  at  the  feet  of  the  Infant 
Lord.    Happy,  thrice  happy  shepherds ! 

After  the  Grotto  of  Bethlehem  we  come  to  the 
house  of  Nazareth,  the  dwelling  of  Christ  for  thirty 
years — and  Palestine,  which  He  traversed  during  His 
apostolic  journeys.  What  deeply  interesting,  what 
sacred,  what  holy  places :  and  yet  the  tabernacle,  where 
Christ  is  present  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  sur- 
passes them  all.    Why? 


SECOND    SERMON.  459 

Because  we  are  permitted  to  enjoy  this  Divine  Pres- 
ence more  permanently,  and  for  a  longer  period  of 
time.  The  shepherds  remained  but  a  little  while,  and 
then  hastened  again  away  from  Christ :  and  God 
knows,  my  brethren,  how  few  among  them  were  so 
blessed  as  even  to  behold  Him  kgain  on  earth,  or, 
in  after  life,  ever  heard  a  single  word  from  His 
divine  and  gracious  lips.  In  Nazareth  it  was  grant- 
ed only  to  Mary  and  Joseph  to  enjoy  the  presence 
of  the  Lord;  and  as  to  Palestine,  through  which  Christ 
traveled,  preaching  as  He  went,  the  multitude  saw  the 
Lord  on  certain  occasions  only  for  some  hours  or 
days ;  and  those  who  were  permitted  to  live  in  contin- 
ual intimacy  with  Him,  as  the  Apostles,  were  very  few; 
while  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  on  the  contrary, 
Christ  is  present  day  and  night,  and  we  can  commune 
with*  Him  whenever  we  wish.  Here  He  is,  as  it  were, 
so  enwrapt  in  the  sacramental  forms  that  He  can  not 
depart. 

He  is,  so  to  say,  compelled  to  hear  us.  He  is  ever 
ready,  and  welcomes  us  to  His  Divine  Presence  at 
whatever  moment  we  please  to  come. 

When  Jacob  wrestled  with  the  Lord,  in  that  won- 
derful struggle  during  the  night,  and  the  Lord  said : 
"Leave  Me,  Jacob;"  the  latter  answered :  **No,  Lord, 
I  will  never  leave  You  until  You  have  blessed  me." 

Through  Christ  abiding  in  our  tabernacles  we  are 

permitted,  as  it  were,  to  force  Him  to  stay  with  us,  and 

to  hear  us.    Oh,  what  a  happiness !    Oh,  that  we  only 

knew  rightly  how  to  value  this  inestimable  favor  !    Oh, 
30 


460  FEAST   OF    CORPUS  CHRISTI. 

that  we  would  but  remember  how  Jesus  is  left  to  re- 
main alone  in  so  many  churches,  and  manifest  our  love 
to  Him  by  daily  visits  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament! 

The  third  mystery  of  faith,  in  which  the  fullness  of 
the  manifestation  and  love  of  God  glorifies  itself 
through  the  institution  of  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament, 
is  the  upper  chamber  at  Jerusalem,  the  scene  of  the 
Last  Supper, 

Who  can  conceive  a  more  sublime,  a  more  elevat- 
ing  sight,  than  that  presented  by  Christ  at  the  Last 
Supper,  surrounded  by  His  disciples,  when,  taking  in 
His  blessed  hands  bread  and  wine,  He  looked  up  to 
heaven,  gave  thanks,  and  said  :  ''  This  is  My  Body — 
this  is  the  chalice  of  My  Blood." 

At  that  moment  His  divine  eyes  glanced  over  the 
whole  earth,  through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  future  time, 
and  beheld  all  the  honor  and  glory  which  He  would 
give  His  heavenly  Father  through  this  His  presence  ; 
and  also  the  many  streams  of  grace  which,  as  fount- 
ains of  living  water,  would  flow  into  the  hearts  of  His 
own,  through  this  Sacrament. 

How  did  His  heart  exult  and  rejoice  as  He  distrib- 
uted it  with  His  own  hands  to  His  disciples !  Who 
would  not  wish  to  have  had  the  happiness  of  receiv- 
ing Holy  Communion  at  the  Last  Supper  from  the 
hands  of  Christ  Himself?  And  nevertheless :  "Blessed 
are  they  who  have  not  seen,  and  yet  believed."  Christ 
administered  the  Sacrament  to  His  disciples  but  once, 
on  the  occasion  of  the  Last  Supper,  which  they  par- 
took of  together ;  while  we  have  the  happiness  of  re- 


SECOND    SERMON.  46 1 

ceiving  Holy  Communion  as  often  as  we  wish,  even 
daily,  and  during  our  whole  lives,  until  we  shall  one 
day  receive  it  as  viaticum  to  help  us  on  our  heaven- 
ward way.  Had  we  lived  at  the  time  of  Christ,  and 
beheld  Him  in  His  visible  presence  on  earth,  we 
might  have  had  the  privilege  of  communicating  but 
once.  And  all  those  who  lived  at  that  time,  even  when, 
later  on,  they  were  converted  to  the  Church,  did  not 
enjoy  this  happiness  in  their  early  years  as  we  did. 

Yes,  dearest  Lord,  by  far  better  is  it  for  us  to  be- 
hold Thee  in  faith  in  our  midst  in  this  Sacrament  of 
Thy  love,  if  we,  on  our  part,  avail  ourselves  of  the 
privilege  of  receiving  Thee  with  the  zeal  and  fervor 
of  the  saints. 

The  fourth  mystery  of  faith,  from  which  shine  forth 
such  brilliant  rays  of  light,  that  we  behold  most  clearly 
the  miracle  of  God's  mercy  for  the  rescue  of  man- 
kind, is  Calvary,  the  cross. 

Oh,  blessed  the  eyes  which,  with  Mary,  St.  John, 
and  the  penitent  Magdalen,  beheld  the  Redeemer 
lifted  on  the  cross,  in  tears  and  blood,  looking  up  to 
heaven,  'crying  to  His  eternal  Father  for  mercy : 
*' Father,  forgive!"  Mercy  and  justice  have  kissed 
each  other. 

Mankind  is  saved !    It  is  consummated ! 

Christ  bows  His  head  and  expires.  His  features 
assume  the  livid  hue  of  death. 

''And  behold,  a  soldier  hastens  up  the  mount  and 
thrusts  his  spear  into  the  side  of  the  crucified  Sav- 
iour,"— opens  His  heart,  and  blood  and  water,  the  sym- 


462  FEAST    OF    CORPUS    CHRISTI. 

bol  of  the  Church,  flow  from  the  open  side  of  the 
heavenly  Adam,  who  sank  to  slumber  on  the  cross. 

Oh,  what  a  spectacle !  St.  Bridget,  to  whom  the 
suffering  Lord  appeared  in  a  vision,  which  made  such 
a  vivid  impression  upon  her  that  ever  afterwards  the 
memory  so  moved  her  heart  that  she  melted  into  tears 
at  the  very  remembrance,  fully  realized  what  it  cost 
Him  to  procure  the  salvation  of  the  world. 

And  yet,  how  abundantly  is  this  sacrifice  renewed 
by  the  presence  of  the  Sacred  Host  on  the  altar,  at 
the  celebration  of  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass! 

Most  certainly,  as  the  Council  of  Trent  expressly 
remarks:  "It  is  the  same  sacrifice  which  Christ  con- 
summated on  the  cross,  with  this  difference  only :  that 
the  one  on  Calvary  was  exteriorly  a  bloody  one,  that  in 
the  Mass  is  unbloody.  But  it  is  the  same  sacrifice, 
the  same  oblation,  the  same  High  Priest,  who  offers  it 
by  the  hands  of  the  priest,  and  the  same  plenitude 
of  divine  grace  which  it  contains,  for  the  glory  of  God, 
for  the  obtaining  of  new  graces,  for  our  reconciliation 
with  God." 

And  with  all  these  we  have  the  advantage  of  being 
present  at  this  sacrifice,  not  only  once,  but  often  ;  yes, 
innumerable  times  in  our  lives. 

Therefore,  if  we  had  been  permitted  to  choose, 
either  to  be  present  on  Calvary,  when  Christ  on  the 
cross  redeemed  the  world,  or  to  be  so  favored  as  to 
assist  daily  at  Mass,  then,  O  Christians  !  our  hearts 
should  say:  ''My  Lord  Jesus!  better  to  me  are  the 
graces   which  can   be  mine  through   the   sacrifice  of 


SECOND    SERMON.  463 

Holy  Mass,  which  are  even  more  abundant  for  me, 
because  they  are  constantly  renewed,  from  the  rising 
of  the  sun  till  the  going  down  of  the  same."  Therefore, 
let  us  beseech  the  Lord  that  faith  may  so  entirely  pen- 
etrate our  hearts,  that  we  may  receive  the  graces, 
which  Christ  distributes  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament 
to  us,  with  the  most  grateful  and  ardent  love. 

Let  us  do  this  in  an  especial  manner  to-day,  as  we 
kneel  in  adoration  at  the  four  altars  erected  and 
adorned  for  this  glorious  feast,  and  we  will  feel  our- 
selves most  powerfully  impelled  to  cry  out,  from  the 
depths  of  our  hearts,  before  Christ  in  the  Most  Holy 
Sacrament:  ''What  shall  I  give  to  the  Lord  for  all 
He  hath  given  unto  me,  through  this  Sacrament  of 
His  real  presence  ?  "  And  the  loving  voice  of  Christ  will 
sweetly  say  :  "  My  son,  give  Me  thy  heart !  " — Amen ! 


464  FEAST   OF    CORPUS   CHRISTI. 


THIRD  SERMON. 

"This  is  the  day  which  the  Lord  hath  made;  let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice 
therein." — Psalm  cxvii,  24. 

THE  Church,  on  this  day  of  jubilee,  loves  to  call 
her  children  to  the  house  of  God,  from  which 
they  go  forth  with  hymns  of  praise  and  prayers  in 
honor  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  which  is  borne, 
under  a  richly  ornamented  canopy,  by  one  of  the 
Lord's  anointed  ministers,  to  the  altars  erected  by 
the  faithful,  to  receive  the  blessing  of  the  Lord. 
That  this  benediction  may  be  poured  out  so  as  to 
bring  forth  the  richest  fruit,  it  is  essential  that  our 
hearts  be  animated  with  the  dispositions  proper  to  re- 
ceive so  great  a  boon. 

To  effect  this,  the  consideration  of  the  anthem,  which 
the  Church  makes  use  of  in  the  administration  of  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  to  the  faithful,  will  be  most  illus- 
trative.   The  anthem  runs  as  follows  : 

' '  O  sacrum  convivium  !''  ''O  sacred  banquet  in  which 
Christ  is  received,  the  heart  replenished  with  grace,  and 
the  pledge  of  eternal  life  bestowed!'' 

These  words  indicate  the  particular  graces  which 
we,  as  Catholics,  enjoy  through  Jesus  Christ  in  the 
Blessed  Eucharist ;  and  which  should  call  forth  our 
most  profound  adoration  and  ardent  gratitude,  our 
fervent  petition  and  sincere  love  and  desire. 

O  Mary,  obtain  for  us  that  disposition  of  heart  In 


THIRD    SERMON.  465 

which  thou  didst,  in  ages  past,  entone  the  ''  Magnifi- 
cat," remembering  the  graces  which  God  bestowed 
upon  thee  through  Jesus  Christ ! 

I  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


*'0  sacred  banquet  in  which  Christ  is  received!" 
The  consecration,  through  which  our  Lord  becomes 
present  on  our  altars,  reminds  us  most  vividly,  as  the 
holy  fathers  remark  of  the  great  grace,  of  the  Incar- 
nation of  the  Son  of  God — the  greatest  of  all  graces — 
the  source  of  all  the  rest.  Every  thing  depended  on 
whether  God  would  stretch  forth  His  arm  to  save  the 
fallen  human  race  or  not.  He  did;  and  their  Redemp- 
tion was  accomplished  by  the  Incarnation  of  His  di- 
vine Son,  the  pledge  of  which  is  the  consecration  when 
the  Body  and  Blood  of  Christ  are  on  the  altar,  instead 
of  the  bread  and  wine,  which  a  moment  before  were 
there.     ' 

God,  in  His  justice,  did  not  spare  the  Angels,  yet 
He  extended  His  clemency  to  ms.  Sing  praise  to  Him, 
for  His  mercy  endureth  forever;  and  this  infinite  mercy 
leads  Him  to  impart  to  us  the  merits  of  redemption  in 
all  their  plenitude,  because  we  are  children  of  His 
Church — the  only  one  in  which  salvation  is  to  be 
found ;  and  we  possess,  therefore,  the  light  of  true 
faith,  and  every  means  of  salvation, — yes,  even  Jesus 
Christ  Himself  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  What  a 
grace !  Millions  and  millions  have  lived  and  died  with- 
out it,  and  yet  it  is  within  our  reach!    Let  us,  then, 


466  FEAST    OF    CORPUS    CHRISTI. 

pour  forth  our  grateful  thanks  to  God  for  having  given 
us  a  place  in  His  kingdom  on  earth.  Most  beloved  in 
Christ,  it  was  for  no  merit  of  ours  that  we  have  been 
called  to  the  Catholic  faith.  There  are  millions  who 
do  not  celebrate  Corpus  Christi  to-day,  who  do  not 
with  us  feast  upon  this  sacred  banquet.  But  this  privi- 
lege and  blessing  calls  for  a  certain  acknowledgment, 
which  is  to  show  our  appreciation  of  it  by  a  truly  Catho- 
lic Hfe. 

The  most  efficacious  means  for  promoting  the  in- 
crease of  grace  in  our  hearts  is  a  lively  faith  in  the 
real  presence  of  Christ,  united  with  the  determination 
to  derive  as  much  benefit  as  possible  from  it  through 
our  frequent  presence  before  Him.  Let  the  foregoing 
reflections  fill  your  minds  during  the  course  of  the  pro- 
cession to  the  first  altar.  Think  of  the  unmerited  grace 
of  being  a  Catholic ;  whisper  to  your  Lord  how  ardently 
you  wish  to  live  in  accordance  with  the  teachings  of 
that  divine  faith,  and  to  induce  others  to  participate 
with  you  in  this  happiness. 

Make,  at  the  same  time,  acts  of  reparation,  that  you 
have  heretofore  thought  so  litde  of  it  yourself,  recit- 
\  ing  the  ''Angelic  Salutation"  with  so  litde  devotion,  and 
manifesting  so  little  interest  in  propagating  the  king- 
dom of  the  Church.  Make  acts  of  reparation,  also, 
for  the  whole  human  race,  which,  for  so  many  years, 
in  so  many  countries,  has  so  ungratefully  rejected  this 
grace,  derided,  persecuted,  and  put  to  death  the  Apos- 
tles and  missionaries  whom  Jesus  sent  to  win  their 
hearts  to  listen  to  His  gracious  call.    Say  to  your  Lord 


THIRD    SERMON.  467 

that,  as  far  as  it  lies  in  your  power,  you  will  labor  for 
the  propagation  of  the  faith ;  and,  full  of  the  fervor  of 
this  intention,  to  assist  the  Church,  and  spread  the 
knowledge  and  love  of  Christ,  receive  the  benediction 
at  the  first  altar. 

"O  sacred  banquet  in  which  Christ  is  received!" 
These  words  indicate  a  second  blessing,  which  is  im- 
parted to  us,  children  of  the  Church,  through  the  pres- 
ence of  Christ  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  which  is 
His  perpetual  Presence  among  us. 

Although  it  is  over  eighteen  hundred  years  since 
our  Lord  personally  dwelt  upon  earth  and  ascended 
into  heaven.  He,  nevertheless,  remains  with  us  in  this 
sacrament,  and  is  ever  ready  to  distribute  more  abun- 
dant graces  to  us  than  He  would  have  done  had  we 
beheld  Him  then.  We  can  repair  to  the  tabernacle 
where,  under  the  vail  of  the  sacramental  forms.  He 
abides  like  a  captive — held  by  the  chain  of  His  love 
for  us.  We  can  hasten  thither,  and  pour  forth  the  ne- 
cessities of  our  souls,  the  love  of  our  hearts. 

Let  us,  therefore,  make  firm  resolutions  frequently 
to  avail  ourselves  of  this  privilege,  by  visiting  Jesus 
even  daily,  if  possible,  in  this  Blessed  Sacrament.  If 
Christendom  would  but  accept  the  glorious  truth,  what 
throngs  would  seek  the  temple  of  the  living  God,  and 
open  their  hearts  before  Christ  the  Lord,  to  speak 
to  Him  in  loving  confidence.  But  have  you  not  also 
something  to  reproach  yourselves  with  in  this  regard? 
Do  you  not  spend  weeks  and  even  months  in  entire 
forgetfulness  of  the  presence  of  Christ  on  our  altars  ? 


468  FEAST    OF    CORPUS    CHRISTI. 

With  the  desire  of  making  reparation,  then,  at  the 
second  altar,  kneel  down  before  your  God.  Bow  down 
in  adoration,  and  receive  benediction  with  the  firm 
resolve  often  to  visit  those  churches  wherein  He 
dwells,  to  petition  for  graces  from  the  fountain  of  His 
wounds. 

''O  sacred  banquet,  at  which  the  heart  is  filled  with 
graces !  "  The  third  source  of  grace,  which  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  bestows  upon  us,  is  the  blessing  of  Holy 
Mass — the  sacrifice  of  the  New  Law.  Thrs  wonder- 
ful sacrament  is,  indeed,  the  Sun  of  divine  service 
which  will  shed  its  beams  over  the  whole  universe  to 
the  very  end  of  time.  The  sacrifice  of  Christ  on  the 
cross  is,  indeed,  the  principal  source  whence  issue  all 
the  graces  of  Redemption.  But  the  sacrifice  of  the 
Mass  is  the  very  same,  bestowing  daily  abundance  of 
graces  on  all  who  seek  them  and  determine  to  use 
them.  O  what  a  motive  for  joy  and  gratitude  !  What 
honor  is  given,  what  homage  is  offered  to  the  triune 
God,  by  the  daily  sacrifice  of  the  Mass ! 

There  is  not  one  moment  In  the  day,  not  one 
moment  in  the  night,  in  which  the  sacrifice  of  the 
Mass  is  not  offered  up  in  one  or  another  quarter  of 
the  globe.  Not  one  single  moment  wherein  some 
priest  in  one  or  another  portion  of  the  world  is  not 
elevating  the  Sacred  Host  to  heaven,  surrounded  with 
a  glory  and  splendor  which  our  eyes  can  not  behold, 
and  beside  which  the  glory  of  the  saints  and  angels 
seems  dim.  There  is  not  one  moment  of  time  in  which 
this  Adorable  Victim  is  not  presented  to  the  Eternal 


THIRD    SERMON.  469 

Father — an  offering  so  precious  that  all  the  praise  and 
homage  ever  offered  by  the  Angels,  or  that  ever  will 
be  offered,  is  as  nothing  compared  to  it. 

Then  let  us,  at  the  third  altar,  pour  forth  our  thanks 
to  God  for  every  Holy  Mass  which  has  ever  been  said 
since  the  Apostles  first  celebrated  theirs,and  for  the  very 
last  one  which  will  be  offered  up  before  the  Judge  of 
the  living  and  the  dead  shall  come  ''  to  judge  the  world 
by  fire."  Let  us  return  thanks  for  every  grace  which 
has  been  conferred  upon  us  during  all  the  Holy  Masses 
at  which  we  have  ever  devoutly  assisted,  and  make  acts 
of  reparation  for  all  the  outrages  endured  by  Jesus  from 
us  by  our  neglecting  to  assist  at  Mass,  or  by  hearing  it 
v^ithout  proper  devotion  ;  also  for  ^// that  He  has  had  to 
suffer,  even  from  the  children  of  His  Church,  during 
the  celebration  of  the  divine  mysteries. 

*'And  through  which  we  receive  the  pledge  of  eter- 
nal glory.*'  The  fourth  motive  for  gratitude  and  re- 
paration is  the  happiness  of  receiving  the  Holy  Com- 
mMnion.  If  the  fathers  could  not  find  words  to  express 
the  magnitude  of  the  grace  which  is  imparted  to  us  by 
its  worthy  reception,  much  less  are  we  able  to  express 
the  thanks  which  are  due  to  our  Lord  for  so  great  a 
boon. 

We  are  objects  of  envy  to  the  very  Angels.  They 
wonder  and  adore  when  we  receive  our  Saviour;  when 
we  are  united  to  the  divinity  and  humanity  of  Christ; 
when  we  hold  captive  the  Author  of  grace,  our  God 
and  Redeemer,  in  the  poor  dwelling  of  our  hearts. 
Return  thanks,  O  Christian,  for  every  Holy  Commun- 


470  FEAST    OF    CORPUS    CHRISTI. 

ion  which  has  been  administered  since  the  Last  Sup- 
per, and  for  those  which  will  be  given  until  the  end  of 
time.  Thank  God  especially  for  every  worthy  Com- 
munion which  you  have  received  yourself;  and  beg  of 
the  Lord  to  grant  y€>u  occasion,  from  this  day  forward, 
often  to  enjoy  the  same  happiness.  Beg  Him  also  for 
grace  to  employ  His  presence  in  your  hearts  as  profit- 
ably as  possible  ;  yes,  in  a  manner  so  perfect  as  to 
initiate  you  into  His  personal  love  and  knowledge. 

Do  not  forget  to  make  acts  of  reparation  for  all  out- 
rages and  ingratitude,  the  horrible  sacrileges,  the  in- 
numerable unworthy  communions,  beginning  with  the 
crime  of  Judas,  until  the  very  last  unworthy  reception 
of  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  which  will  ever  take  place 
in  the  world.  And,  oh,  if  any  one  here  present  has 
been  so  wretched  as  to  receive  his  Saviour  into  a  heart 
disfigured  by  mortal  sin,  I  beg  of  you  repent  before  it 
is  too  late.  Let  not  the  sun  go  down  without  a  sincere 
resolution  to  repair  the  evil  by  a  good  confession,  and 
put  it  into  execution  the  very  first  moment  you  can. 
Receive,  then,  with  heartfelt  thanksgiving,  the  bene- 
diction of  Jesus  Himself  at  the  fourth  altar. 

These,  dearly  beloved  in  Christ,  are  the  affections 
which  should  overwhelm  us  as  we  kneel  at  the  differ- 
ent altars  erected  to  do  honor  to  the  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment. Then  the  benediction  we  receive  will  enable 
us  to  celebrate  this  day  entirely  in  the  spirit  of  the 
Holy  Catholic  Church. — Amen! 


FEAST  OF  THE  SACRED  HEART. 


FIRST  SERMON. 


"This  is  life  everlasting  that  they  may  know  Thee,  and  whom  Thou  hast 
sent,  Jesus  Christ." — John  xvii,  3. 

AS  the  pulpit  text  which  I  have  just  read  for  you, 
dearly  beloved  in  Christ,  admonishes  us,  more  is 
necessary  for  our  salvation  than  faithfully  to  confess 
God  the  Father,  and  whom  He  has  sent,  Jesus  Christ ; 
for,  if  this  confession  is  to  deliver  and  save  us,  we 
must  follow  Christ  by  obeying  the  teachings  of  the 
faith  He  brought  into  the  world. 

The  devils  also  confess  God,  and  yet  they  remain 
devils ;  they  also  confess  Jesus  Christ,  yet  they  are 
damned  forever. 

Therefore,  St.  Paul  so  expressly  declares  to  the 
early  Christians:  ''And  what  else  do  I  require  of  you, 
by  all  I  have  told  you,  by  word  and  by  our  epistle,  than 
that  you  advance  in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  Christ  ? " 
which  means  that,  in  proportion  as  this  knowledge 
and  love  takes  root  in  your  heart,  and  increases  and 
fructifies,  so  also  will  you,  together  with  me,  follow 
Jesus,  and  be  saved  through  Him.  These  are  the 
words  of  the  Apostle  of  nations. 

But  it  is  precisely  in  this  regard  that  a  very  great 

(47X) 


472         .  FEAST    OF    THE    SACRED    HEART. 

deficiency  is  generally  manifested.  Not  to  speak  of 
those  who  know  nothing  of  Jesus  save  what  they 
have  learned  from  history,  and  who  are  not  members 
of  the  true  faith,  how  many,  even  among  those  who 
call  themselves  Catholics,  and,  perhaps,  live  exteriorly 
as  such,  in  reality  know  Him  not !  They  know  Him, 
as  it  were,  only  by  name  ;  they  know  Him  not  per- 
sonally ;  and  the  'knowledge  they  have  of  the  divine 
Saviour  exercises  no  beneficial  influence  upon  their 
lives. 

In  this  meditation,  therefore,  my  dear  brethren,  I 
will  endeavor  to  demonstrate,  that  a  true  veneration  of 
the  Sacred  Hea^^t  of  fesus  is  the  portal  through  which 
we  must  eiiter  into  the  sarictuary  of  a  sweet,  a  loving 
union,  with  Christ,  an  intimate,  personal  knowledge 
of  the  Saviour. 

0  Mary,  who,  as  His  Mother,  didst  know  and  love 
the  Son  of  God,  following  Him  with  devoted  care 
even  to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  we  pray  thee,  obtain  for 
us  the  grace  to  know  and  love  Him  too. 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


Christ  is,  as  holy  faith  teaches,  the  incarnate  Son 
of  God.  That  this  knowledge  may  enkindle  within  us, 
and  fan  the  fire  of  divine  love,  in  so  ardent  a  manner 
that  we  may  imitate  our  divine  Saviour,  we  must 
often  meditate  on  the  mystery  of  the  Incarnation  of 
the  Son  of  God,  of  which  a  tender  devotion  to  the 


FIRST    SERMON.  473 

Sacred  Heart  can  not  fail  to  remind  us.  The  Angels 
cherish  the  most  profound  veneration,  and  yet  God 
did  not  become  an  angel — but  a  man.  To  this  He 
was  impelled  by  no  other  consideration  than  His  love 
for  us. 

*'  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  eternal  love,  and  drawn 
thee  with  merciful  love  to  Me."  What  a  powerful 
inotive  for  love  and  gratitude!  God  was  pleased  to 
create  us,  not  only  after  His  own  image,  but  to  take 
upon  Himself  our  very  nature,  inexpressibly  inferior 
as  it  is,  and  thus  elevate  it  above  the  ano-elic  nature. 
They  possess  not,  like  us,  the  privilege  of  calling  him 
brother.  Should  not  this  urge  us  to  listen  to  our  Lord 
when  he  speaks  thus  to  our  hearts:  **And  now  what 
else  does  thy  God  require  of  thee,  than  that  thou 
shouldst  love  him?" 

Christ,  as  God  and  man  at  the  same  time,  is  our 
Redeemer,  Who  shed  His  precious  blood  for  us  in 
that  atoning  sacrifice,  completed  through  the  infinite 
merits  which  accompanied  all  His  divine  actions ;  and 
He  offered  it  as  an  expiation  to  the  infinite  justice  of 
God.  But  if  we  wish  fully  to  understand  this  tremen- 
dous sacrifice  which  Christ  presented  to  His  heavenly 
Father  for  every  human  soul,  the  love  of  Christ,  and 
His  character  as  Saviour  of  the  world,  must  arise 
clearly  before  us,  and  this  will  be  attained  by  looking 
into  the  depths  of  the  Sacred  Heart. 

For  "■  the  redemption  of  the  world"  would  have  been 
realized  by  the  first  aspiration  to  which  Christ  gave 
utterance  in  His  mother's  womb,  at  His  Incarnation, 


474  FEAST    OF    THE    SACRED    HEART. 

when  He  confessed  before  His  Father:  **  Behold, 
here  am  I,  and  Thy  law  is  in  the  midst  of  my  heart." 
I  have  come  to  reconcile  the  human  race  with  Thee. 

This  prayer  was,  as  St.  Paul  assures  us,  already 
sufficient  for  the  salvation  and  redemption  of  every 
member  of  the  human  family,  for  it  was  of  an  infinite 
value.  But  the  overwhelming  love  of  Jesus  for  us  de- 
manded something  more  than  our  mere  redemption, 
for  He  wished  to  deliver  us  in  a  manner  indicative 
of  that  love,  so  that  our  hearts  might  the  more  read- 
ily turn  to  Him.  O  how  He  wished  us  to  follow  His 
divine  example,  and  make  the  merits  of  His  life  and 
death  our  own,  no  matter  how  great  the  cost ! 

And  now,  to  understand  this  in  the  most  effective 
manner,  let  us  glance  at  His  heart,  and  remember, 
at  the  same  time,  that  Christ  offered  His  life,  suffer- 
ings, and  death,  to  His  heavenly  Father,  not  only 
for  all  mankind,  but  for  every  individual  soul ;  as  if 
that  soul  had  been  the  only  one  He  came  to  save, 
as  will  be  manifested,  in  the  clearest  light,  by  a 
glance  at  the  Sacred  Heart.  You  have  a  right  to  say 
this  very  heart  beat  in  the  breast  of  the  Infant  Jesus  as 
He  lay  in  the  manger  at  Bethlehem,  and  offered  the 
pains  and  griefs  of  infancy  for  7ne. 

The  circumcision,  the  flight  into  Egypt,  the  weary 
toil  which  marked  His  daily  life  at  Nazareth,  He 
offered  for  me!  This  Sacred  Heart  throbbed  for  me 
in  every  phase  of  His  Apostolic  life,  and  offered  all 
for  me! 

This  same  heart  throbbed  for  me  in  His  breast  at  the 


FIRST    SERMON.  475 

Last  Supper,  and  throbbed  for  me  when  Jesus  re- 
solved to  offer  Himself  daily  in  the  Sacrament  of 
His  love,  until  the  very  end  of  time,  to  remain  with 
me,  to  unite  Himself  with  me,  body  and  soul,  divin- 
ity and  humanity,  in  every  holy  Communion  which  it 
would  be  my  privilege  to  receive. 

It  throbbed  for  me  when,  with  prophetic  vision,  the 
Redeemer  saw  the  many  temptations  which  would 
surround  me  in  life,  and  His  precious  blood  burst 
forth  from  every  pore,  as  Gethsemane's  groves  wit- 
nessed His  terrible  agony  there.  And,  oh,  how  bit- 
terly it  throbbed  when  the  cruel  scourge  laid  open 
the  quivering  flesh  to  the  very  bone,  and  the  aching 
brow  was  made  to  feel  a  keener  pang  from  the  press- 
ure of  the  sharp  thorns,  put  on  in  mockery  of  a 
crown,  and  the  heavy  cross  was  laid  upon  those 
weary  shoulders  until  all  that  was  human  in  the  Son 
of  God  was  well  nigh  crushed  to  earth.  And  at  last 
the  weary  walk  was  over,  but  only  to  give  place  to 
new  and  bitter  pain  as  the  nails  were  driven  through 
the  sacred  hands  and  feet.  And  now  behold  the  Cre- 
ator of  heaven  and  earth  hanging  on  the  cross,  a 
bleeding  victim  for  our  sins.  Ah,  then  His  Sacred 
Heart  throbbed  for  me  as  He  cried  out  to  the  eternal 
Father:  ''Father,  forgive!"  Then,  when  he  yielded 
up  the  Ghost,  behold,  a  soldier  opened  His  heart, 
and  from  it  fell  the  last  drop  of  His  precious  blood — 
for  me,  I  am  redeemed,  and  with  a  Redemption  super- 
abundant indeed ! 

"They  will  see  Whom  they  have  pierced."    These 
31 


476  FEAST    OF    THE    SACRED    HEART. 

are  the  inspired  words  of  the  prophet;  yes,  and  they 
will  adore  the  triumph  of  infinite  mercy  by  which  the 
greatest  crime  which  a  creature  can  commit,  Deicide, 
became  a  source  for  the  pardon  of  every  sin,  as  St. 
Paul  implies  when  he  says:  ''Christ  destroyed  sin 
through  sin  upon  the  cross." 

This  open  heart,  this  sacred  wound,  removed  the 
vail  which  rested  upon  the  work  of  Redemption.  To 
glance  at  it,  nay,  to  look  into  its  depths,  we  can  see 
the  glimmer  of  a  lovely  light  which  illumines  the 
work  of  the  Saviour's  mercy  and  love,  penetrating 
our  hearts  with  a  longing  to  reciprocate  that  love 
which  led  him  to  purchase  our  salvation  at  the  cost 
of  life. 

This  Jesus  is,  as  Saviour,  the  founder  of  that  Church 
to  which  He  confided  His  infinite  merits,  and  the  dis- 
pensation of  the  means  of  salvation.  She  rose  from 
His  heart  in  the  symbol  of  blood  and  water,  even  as 
from  the  side  of  the  sleeping  Adam  God  called  our 
mother  Eve  into  existence.  And  behold  us,  without 
any  merit  of  our  own,  members  of  this  Church  so  holy 
and  divine.  What  a  motive  for  us,  as  children  of 
this  loving  mother,  to  grow  in  the  grace  of  God,  and 
by  constant  intercourse  with  Jesus  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament,  to  grow  also  in  His  personal  knowledge. 

Yes!  to  look  into  the  Heart  of  Jesus,  gives  us  a 
glimpse,  in  all  its  splendor,  of  the  majesty  and  sanc- 
tity of  the  one  true  Church,  and  can  not  fail  to  excite 
in  us  the  most  ardent  desire  and  longing  to  live  as 
her  faithful  children,  grateful   that  we  are  so  highly 


FIRST    SERMON.  477 

favored  as  to  be  children  of  that  glorious  mother.  It 
animates  us  to  more  earnest  efforts  to  propagate  the 
faith,  over  the  whole  world,  according  to  the  desire 
of  the  Sacred  Heart. 

This  Lord  and  Saviour  is,  according  to  His  Person, 
at  once  our  Father,  Friend,  and  Brother;  the  Spouse 
of  our  souls — Christ !  He  it  is  Who  regained  for  us  tho 
right  to  enter  heaven.  He  is  our  Brother,  Who  took 
upon  Himself  our  nature ;  our  Friend,  Who  provided 
for  us  as  for  Himself;  and  the  Spouse  of  our  souls — in- 
finite goodness  and  greatness — Christ! 

To  behold  all  this  we  must  look  into  the  depths  ot 
His  Sacred  Heart.  The  world  is  full  of  brothers, 
friends,  and  spouses,  but  how  different  are  they  in  the 
measure  of  love  they  bear  to  their  own  !  In  the  open 
Heart  of  Jesus  we  behold,  united,  the  hearts  of  loving 
fathers,  brothers,  and  friends;  and  yet  His  love  is 
greater  than  all !  Did  He  not  give  the  very  last  drop 
of  blood  from  that  heart,  and  am  I  not,  therefore, 
right  when  I  say :  If  we  wish  to  attain  to  a  knowledge 
of  this  dear  Redeemer,  in  all  His  divine  sweetness, 
we  must  cast  frequent  glances  into  the  Sacred  Heart, 
and  seek  refuge  In  its  bleeding  wound?  We  will 
then  adorn  our  own  hearts,  so  that  we  will  one  day 
be  worthy  to  enter  into  an  abode  of  eternal  blessed- 
ness. Blessed  St.  Gertrude,  devoted  adorer  of  the 
Sacred  Heart,  obtain  for  us  the  grace  to  love  it  with 
you7'  fervent  love,  and  through  a  like  imitation  of  its 
virtues,  to  share  with  you  the  glorious  reward  of  its 
faithful  servants. — Amen. 


478  FEAST  OF  THE    SACRED    HEART. 


SECOND  SERMON. 

"For  this  cause  I  bow  my  knees  to  the  Father,  that  you  may  be  able  to 
comprehend  with  all  the  saints  what  is  the  breadth  and  length  and  height 
and  depth  of  this  mystery." — Eph.  iii,  14,  18. 

'T^O  me,  the  least  of  all  the  saints,  is  given  this 
1  grace  to  preach  among  the  Gentiles,  and  to  en- 
lighten all  men  what  is  the  dispensation  of  the  mystery 
which  hath  been  hidden  from  eternity  in  God,  Who  cre- 
ated all  things. 

"  For  this  cause  I  bow  my  knees  to  the  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  Whom  all  paternity  in  heaven 
and  earth  is  named, 

'*  That  He  would  grant  you  the  grace  to  be  strength- 
ened by  the  power  of  His  Spirit  unto  the  inward  man ; 

"  That  Christ  may  dwell  by  faith  in  your  hearts :  that 
being  rooted  and  founded  in  charity,  you  may  be  able 
to  comprehend  with  all  the  saints  what  is  the  breadth 
and  length  and  height  and  depth  of  this  mystery; 

"  To  know  also  the  charity  of  Christ,  which  surpass- 
eth  all  human  knowledge." 

With  these  words  to  the  Ephesians,  and  similar  as- 
surances in  many  passages  of  the  Epistles  which  St. 
Paul  wrote — not  only  for  the  faithful  of  his  own  day, 
but  for  those  of  all  future  time — the  Apostle  of  nations 
exhorts  us  in  the  most  expressive  manner  to  advance 
in  the  knowledge  of  Christ. 

And  if  we  wish  to  comprehend  the  total  height  and 
depth,  the  entire  breadth  and  le^igth,  of  the  love  offesuSy 


SECOND    SERMON.      ♦  479 

we  can  only  do  so  by  looking  into  the  depths  of  His  Sa- 
cred Heart ;  and  to  make  this  clear,  will  be  the  object 
of  my  words  to-day. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  the  Divine  Heart,  obtain  for  us 
the  grace  to  enter  into  the  full  knowledge  of  Christ's 
love  for  us,  that  we  may  meet  it  with  faithful  recipro- 
cal love ! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the  greater 
honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


To  contemplate  in  its  entire  extent  the  love  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  open  our  hearts  in  true  recipro- 
cal love  to  the  Lord,  that  He  may  dwell  therein,  we 
must  go  to  the  Sacred  Heart  and  look  into  its  depths. 
There,  ah !  there,  we  can  behold  in  all  its  immensity  a 
love  so  mighty  that  it  drew  Him  away  from  the  throne 
of  His  glory  in  heaven  to  earth,  and  urged  Him  not 
only  to  assume  human  nature,  but  by  so  doing,  as  St. 
Paul  assures  us,  to  annihilate  Himself  and  take  the 
form  of  a  slave. 

For,  appearing  as  a  man  among  men.  He  concealed 
His  divinity  before  them  ;  and  although  He  wrought 
miracles,  other  men,  with  the  Divine  assistance,  per- 
formed wonders  still  greater: — Moses,  for  instance,  at 
the  departure  of  the  children  of  Israel  from  Egypt. 

Men  in  general  acknowledged  Him  so  little  as  God, 
that  they  threatened  to  stone  Him  when  He  declared 
that  He  was.  They  persecuted  at  every  occasion 
this  meek  Lamb  of  God,  and  at  last  nailed  Him  to 


480  FEAST   OF    THE    SACRED    HEART. 

the  cross.  And  what  brought  to  such  depths  of  humil- 
ity the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords  ?  Because  He 
chose  not  to  appear  as  a  powerful  monarch,  as  a  ruler 
over  the  whole  universe,  before  whom  all  nations  would 
tremble,  but  as  a  slave  ;  for  He  entered  this  world  as  the 
subject  of  an  emperor  who  governed  only  the  Romans 
as  free  men,  while  those  nations  he  had  conquered  were 
held  in  subjection.  And  therefore  Christ  suffered  the 
death  of  the  slave — crucifixion. 

Why  did  He  humble  Himself  so  deeply  ?  One  glance 
into  the  Divine  Heart  will  tell  us  that  it  was  His  mer- 
ciful love  to  us. 

Great  God  !  what  misery  overwhelmed  the  human 
race,  and  what  would  have  become  of  us  if  the  arm  of 
Thy  infinite  justice  had  not  been  stayed  !  But  Christ 
the  Son  of  God,  equal  in  essence  and  nature  to  His 
eternal  Father,  wished,  through  love,  to  celebrate  the 
triumph  of  His  infinite  mercy  ;  and  this  love  urged 
Him  not  only  to  grant  pardon  to  penitent  sinners,  but 
to  make  satisfaction  for  them,  and  take  upon  Himself 
the  justification  for  sin. 

Not  only,  beloved  in  Christ,  did  He  mean  to  par- 
don this  or  that  sin,  to  forgive  this  or  that  sinner,  but 
for  every  sin  that  would  ever  be  committed,  and  for 
every  sinner,  if  he  were  truly  contrite,  a  gracious  par- 
don would  be  found.  Christ  requires  but  one  thing  of 
the  sinner — that  he  avails  himself  of  those  efficacious 
means  of  salvation  to  be  found  in  the  true  Church, 
and  takes  refuge  in  His  Sacred  Heart. 

Dearly  beloved  Christians,  souls  redeemed  by. the 


SECOND    SERMON.  48 1 

blood  of  a  God,  reflect  upon  this  precious  truth ;  and 
that  you  may  realize  the  depth  of  His  love  for  you, 
look  at  the  Sacred  Heart  —  look  into  its  bleeding 
wound.  The  Almighty,  the  Omnipotent  God,  the 
gracious  and  merciful  Saviour,  comes  from  the  heaven 
of  His  glory  to  afford  us  a  certain  refuge  therein — to 
save  us  from  that  pit  which  the  malice  of  sin  has  pre- 
pared for  us  in  hell. 

The  Deluge  prefigured  the  spiritual  ruin  which  over- 
whelmed the  whole  human  race.  Now,  Holy  Scripture 
testifies  that  the  waters  thereof  rose  to  the  height  of 
fifteen  cubits  above  the  loftiest  mountains.  This  indi- 
cates the  degree  of  malice  which  characterized  the^ 
wickedness  of  mankind,  it  being  greater  than  that  of 
the  fallen  angels.  Their  sin  was  that  pride  which  led 
them  to  wish  to  be  like  God  ;  while  man,  on  the  con- 
trary, committed  Deicide,  as  St.  Peter,  in  his  first 
sermon,  called  the  Crucifixion,  when  he  said:  "The 
Author  of  life  you  have  killed." 

This  reproach  applies  not  only  to  those  Jews  who 
personally  laid  hands  on  Christ,  but  to  all  men  as  sin- 
ners ;  for  St.  Paul  asserts  :  ''  Whosoever  sins,  crucifies 
God  in  his  heart,  tramples  His  precious  Blood  under 
foot."  And  yet  God  forgives  on  account  of  the  merits 
of  Christ !  Whom  ?  The  greatest  sinner  if  he  but 
repent.  And  what  means  does  He  choose  for  this  ? 
Let  us  adore  and  wonder,  for  the  commission  of  the 
greatest  possible  sin  —  attempted  Deicide  —  became 
for  us  the  source  of  every  grace.  What  a  triumph  of 
Infinite  Mercy! 


482  FEAST    OF    THE    SACRED    HEART. 

Glance  at  the  Heart  of  Jesus,  opened  after  his  death : 
by  this  He  opened  His  arms  to  every  soul,  with  the 
loving  words:  '*  I  have  loved  thee  unto  death,  and  pre- 
sented the  last  drop  of  My  heart's  blood  for  thee  to 
draw  thee  from  the  abyss  of  destruction  which  thy  sins 
prepared  for  thee  in  hell." 

Oh,  what  a  depth,  and,  at  the  same  time,  what  a 
height  of  love  !  The  work  of  Redemption  as  consum- 
mated by  this  love,  made  fast  the  gates  of  hell,  and 
rescued  us  from  that  fiery  pit ;  but  not  content  with 
this,  our  loving  Saviour  would  open  the  portals  of  a 
heaven  more  beautiful  than  the  one  which  would  have 
been  our  portion  had  Adam  never  sinned. 

And  now,  as  brothers  of  the  Son  of  God,  we  may  en- 
ter that  region  of  bliss,  and  become  as  precious  stones 
set  in  the  celestial  crown  of  the  world  of  angels. 

We  may,  by  our  zeal  in  the  exercise  of  good  works, 
and  their  union  with  the  merits  of  Christ,  ascend  higher 
and  higher,  through  new  and  more  brilliant  merits,  to 
an  immeasurable  degree  of  glory. 

Look  at  Mary,  whose  throne  is  next  to  that  of  Jesus : 
she  was,  like  us,  a  child  of  man,  and  her  glory  by  far 
,  outshines  that  of  the  brightest  angel.  We,  as  her  chil- 
dren, may  hope  to  attain  a  place  in  heaven,  near  that 
of  our  gracious  Queen  ;  for  from  the  Heart  of  Jesus 
came  forth  the  cry:  ''To  him  that  shall  overcome  I 
will  grant  to  sit  with  Me  on  My  throne." 

And  how  shall  we  learn  the  breadth  of  this  love  ?  I 
answer :  By  contemplating  the  generosity  which  mark- 
ed its  course,  and  so  animated  the  Sacred  Heart  in  the 


SECOND    SERMON.  483 

breast  of  the  Infant  Saviour  in  the  crib  and  of  the  Re- 
deemer on  the  cross.  Even  now  it  beats  for  us  in  the 
Most. Holy  Sacrament  over  the  whole  globe.  Think 
of  the  generosity  of  that  love  by  which  Jesus  has  com- 
municated to  us  the  whole  merit  of  His  life,  passion, 
and  death. 

The  words  of  St.  Augustine  refer  to  this  in  the  ex- 
planation and  answer  given  by  him  of  the  words  of 
Christ:  ''What  price  could  man  give  for  his  soul?" 
''Remember,"  exclaims  St.  Augustine,  "the  price 
which  Christ  paid  for  yoii  through  the  work  of  Re- 
demption ;  you  have  been  purchased  by  the  life,  pas- 
sion, and  death  of  Christ  the  Son  of  God."  What  He 
gave  for  you  He  did  not  give  even  for  the  angels. 

Oh,  how  sweetly  are  we  reminded  of  all  this  by  one 
loving  glance  at  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  !  It  beats 
indeed  to-day  on  earth  for  each  one  of  us. 

Go  before  the  tabernacle  and  ask  what  is  that  which 
Jesus  confers  upon  you  in  every  Holy  Communion.  It 
is  Himself, 

And  the  length  of  this  enduring  love  may  be  dis- 
cerned by  the  unwearied  forbearance  He  shows  to 
man. 

From  the  first  moment  of  your  conception.  Chris- 
tian soul.  He  has  loved  you  with  an  everlasting  love. 
He  has  thought  of  you,  and  longed  to  bless  you  for 
all  eternity.  And  it  will  be  your  own  fault  if  He  does 
not  remain,  until  your  very  latest  breath,  the  same 
faithful,  loving  Jesus,  Who  will  assist  you  in  that  last 
dread  passage  where  time  is  merged  into  eternity. 


484  FEAST    OF    THE    SACRED    HEART. 

Yes,  It  Is  an  article  of  faith  that  when  the  greatest 
sinner  turns  with  a  repentant  heart  to  Jesus,  even  in 
his  dying  hour,  he  will  still  be  saved  through  Him. 
And  is  this  really  so?  Christian,  look  at  the  wounded 
Heart  In  the  breast  of  your  Redeemer.  It  has  ceased 
to  beat — it  is  dead !  Yet  from  the  wound  came  blood 
and  water,  the  symbol  of  the  Church  to  which  Christ 
gave  power  to  pardon  the  dying  sinner  whose  heart 
cries  out  for  mercy — for  forgiveness  through  the  mer- 
its of  Christ. 

Dearly  beloved,  who  have  listened  to  my  words  to- 
day, reflect  upon  what  I  have  told  you  of  the  Most 
Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus — of  the  height,  depth,  breadth, 
and  length  of  the  love  of  Christ.  Consider  it  daily, 
and  the  wish  of  St.  Paul,  of  which  I  have  already 
spoken  to  you,  will  certainly  be  fulfilled  in  you. 

You  will  become  so  strengthened  in  the  love  of 
God,  through  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  that  He  will  abide 
In  your  heart,  and,  finding  therein  so  firm  a  faith,  ear- 
nest a  hope,  and  ardent  a  love,  will  there  take  up  His 
abode  forever.-— Amen ! 


THIRD    SERMON.  485 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"Is  thy  heart  right  as  my  heart  is  with  thy  heart?  " — 4  Kings  x,  15. 

CENTURIES  have  passed  since  our  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour, the  loving  Jesus,  in  His  visible  presence, 
walked  the  earth ;  and  as  the  years  roll  on,  He  asks 
of  every  CathoHc  soul  the  same  question  which  He 
put  to  the  prince  of  the  Apostles :  ^'  Lovest  thou  Me?  " 
and  every  one  should  reply  as  did  the  ardent  Peter : 
**  Yes,  Lord,  I  love  Thee  ;  "  and  yet  the  answer  is  not 
the  same,  for  St.  Peter  not  only  assured  the  Lord  of 
his  love,  but  added:  ''  Lord,  Thou  knowest  all  things, 
Thou  knowest  that  I  love  Thee." 

If  our  divine  Lord  possessed  not  the  power  to  read 
what  is  written  in  the  inmost  recesses  of  our  hearts, 
He  might  be  deceived  by  the  assurance  of  a  love 
which  has  no  place  therein,  and  indiscriminately  be- 
stow those  rich  treasures  of  grace  which  He  loves  so 
well  to  give,  and  which  we  require  to  work  out  our 
salvation  in  that  state  of  life  to  which  we  have  each 
one  been  assigned.  But  the  Lord  searcheth  the  heart 
of  man,  and  knoweth  if  his  lips  speak  truth.  And  too 
often,  my  dearest  Christians,  the  lives,  even  of  those 
who  possess  the  gift  of  faith,  so  directly  contradict 
their  professions,  that  to  them  might  be  applied  the 
words  of  Isaac  :  "The  voice  is  the  voice  of  Jacob,  but 
the  hands  are  those  of  Esau." 

The  lips  say:  "I  love  my  Jesus  who  died  for  me," 
but  as  ''actions  speak  louder  far  than  words,"  they 


486  FEAST    OF    THE    SACRED    HEART. 

often  proclaim  the  falsity  of  the  assertion.  We  can 
not  sufficiently  appreciate  the  necessity  of  examining 
ourselves  carefully  on  this  point,  and  it  were  well  to 
do  so  in  presence  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  as  it  beats  in 
our  midst,  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament.  What  an- 
swer could  we  make  to  this  question  of  our  Lord  ? 
Could  we  truly  say  with  St.  Peter  :  "  Lord,  Thou  know- 
est  all  things  ;  Thou  knowest  that  I  love  Thee."  Be- 
loved in  Christ,  in  this  regard  I  will  put  into  the 
mouth  of  our  Saviour  those  words  of  Holy  Scripture. 
"  /f  thy  heart  right  as  my  heart  is  with  thy  hea74?'' 
and  after  y on  have  listened  attentively  to  Tny  words  to- 
day ^  let  each  07ie  make  answer  to  his  soul  and  his  God, 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  Jesus,  who  lovedst  Him  with  the 
most  sincere  and  maternal  love,  grant  that  we  also 
may  love  Him  with  sincere  and  filial  love  ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


The  first  mark  of  sincere  love  is  the  silent  testi- 
mony of  the  heart  itself,  which  is  felt  only  by  those 
who  love.  The  little  child,  which  never  even  heard  the 
word  love,  feels  it  in  the  depths  of  its  tender  heart  to- 
ward its  mother,  who  lavishes  upon  it  every  fond  en- 
dearment as  it  lovingly  clings  about  her  neck. 

Question  your  own  heart  as  to  its  feelings  when- 
ever you  pronounce  the  sacred  name  of  Jesus,  or 
even  think  of  Him. 

St.   Bernard  sometimes,  after  he  had  uttered  that 


THIRD    SERMON.  487 

holy  name,  tasted  a  sweetness  upon  his  lips  as  though 
he  had  eaten  honey.  Can  you  say,  O  Christian !  that 
your  feelings  are  like  his  ?  Is  it  with  you,  as  St. 
Augustine  declares  of  himself,  that  you  find  every 
thing,  wherein  the  name  of  Jesus  does  not  occur,  insip- 
id and  without  interest?  You  love  Jesus,  you  say,  but 
if  His  name  leaves  you  insensible  and  cold,  I  am  forced 
to  doubt  the  sincerity  of  your  love. 

But  as  it  is  also  true  that  mere  feeling  is  very  de- 
ceptive, therefore  show,  by  your  life,  that  you  really 
speak  the  truth.  ■ 

The  second  mark  of  sincere  love  is  the  care  one 
takes  not  to  grieve  or  offend  the  object  of  his  love. 
Thus  it  may  happen  that  a  wife  says  to  her  husband  : 
''  Do  you  love  me  ?  "  and  what  is  his  probable  reply  ? 
'*  Silly  question;  would  I  have  married  you  had  I  not?" 
But  evening  comes,  and  the  charms  of  home  are  pow- 
erless to  keep  him  there.  So  he  goes  to  the  tavern, 
where  the  midnight  hour  finds  him  still,  yet  he  knows 
how  much  he  will  grieve  his  faithful  wife  by  this  evil 
course.  Is  she  not  perfecdy  right,  therefore,  if  she 
says  within  herself:  ''Thy  lips  say  I  love  thee;  but 
thy  life  says  it  is  a  lie.  Thy  love  is  not  sincere,  or 
thou  wouldst  not  be  so  ready  to  grieve  my  heart." 

Christian,  your  Saviour  asks:  ''Do  you  love  Me?" 
How  does  your  life  answer  this  question  of  the  Lord  ? 
With  what  care  do  you  endeavor,  not  only  not  to  com- 
mit a  mortal  sin,  which  would  at  once  banish  Christ 
from  your  heart ;  but  to  avoid  committing  even  one  de- 
liberate venial  sin  which  grieves  and  afflicts  your  Lord? 


488  FEAST    OF    THE    SACRED   HEART. 

Do  you  watch  over  your  conscience  by  the  most 
assiduous  practice  of  the  particular  examen  ?  If  so, 
then,  indeed,  you  speak  the  truth.  But  if  it  would 
seem  that  you  are  careless  in  regard  to  the  trifling 
sins  and  imperfections, — if  you  neglect  the  particular 
examen,  you  place  yourself  in  the  greatest  danger  of 
sinning,  even  grievously,  and  your  lips  would  utter  a 
lie  :  your  love  is  only  an  illusion. 

Even  if  you  would  read  from  your  book  the  most 
ardent  affections  of  love,  while  your  lips  say:  ''Yes, 
Lord  Jesus,  I  love  You;"  your  life  cries  out:  "It  is 
false."  But  how  is  it,  then,  if  you  live  with  the  guilt 
of  mortal  sin  upon  your  soul  ?  Ah  !  then,  indeed,  you 
deeply  grieve  your  Saviour,  and  banish  Him  from 
your  heart. 

The  third  mark  of  sincere  love  is  the  desire  to 
please  the  beloved,  and  to  do  with  zeal  what  is  re- 
quired of  us  by  the  one  whom  we  love.  A  well  known 
proverb  says  that  "love  can  read  in  the  eyes  of  the 
beloved  the  desire  of  his  heart."  The  same  is  true  of 
a  sincere  love  towards  Jesus.  A  wife  needs  not  to  ask 
her  husband  whether  he  loves  her,  although  he  is  of 
a  very  undemonstrative  nature, — never  expressing  his 
love, — if  his  actions  show  that  he  does,  if  he  is  quick 
to  anticipate  every  wish  of  her  heart;  and  fulfill  it,  if 
possible  ;  therein  lies  the  real  test  of  love.  The  same 
is  true  of  the  sincerity  of  our  love  towards  Jesus. 
What  He  requires  of  us  is  made  known  by  His  admo- 
nition :  "  Follow  Me  ! — Be  ye  holy,  as  your  Father  in 
heaven  is  holy."    Ask  your  heart,  with  what  zeal  you 


THIRD    SERMON.  .  489 

walk  in  the  path  of  Christian  perfection,  whether  it  is 
your  earnest  wish  to  become  holy. 

And  not  only  that,  but  what  zeal  do  you  manifest 
in  assisting  Jesus  to  extend  His  kingdom  on  earth, 
through  zeal  in  the  exercise  of  the  spiritual  and  cor- 
poreal works  of  mercy  ?  With  what  solicitude  do  you 
endeavor  to  prevent  others  from  offending  God,  par- 
ticularly those  whom  the  Lord  has  confided  to  your 
care,  watching  that  they  fulfill  their  duties  as  faithful 
and  zealous  children  of  the  Church  ? 

Do  you  try  earnestly  to  lead  infidels  and  heretics 
to  the  way  of  salvation,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  true 
and  only  Church  wherein  salvation  is  to  be  found; 
and  to  support  over  the  whole  earth  the  kingdom  of 
God,  that  zealous  missionaries  may  be  enabled  to 
preach  the  gospel  among  the  heathens  ?  Can  you  say 
with  truth  that  you  are  zealous  in  each  of  the  above 
duties?  If  so,  then  you  may  indeed  rejoice,  for  it  is 
well  with  you  ;  and  your  life  replete  with  holy  deeds 
shows  that  you  sincerely  love  your  God.  But,  on  the 
contrary — and  oh,  with  how  many  is  not  this  the  case  ! 
— if  you  are  satisfied  to  live  an  ordinary  Christian 
life,  and,  even  this  merely  from  the  force  of  habit ;  if 
you  do  not  at  the  very  moment  you  awake  from  sleep, 
resolve  to  let  your  aim  be  to  grow  always  better  and 
better ;  to  constantly  multiply  the  good  works  you  per- 
form, to  never  lose  an  opportunity  to  save  and  sanc- 
tify others; — If,  I  repeat,  beloved  in  Christ,  it  is  thus 
with  you,  then  your  love  for  Jesus  is  far  from  being 
sincere. 


490  FEAST   OF    THE    SACRED    HEART. 

And  if  you  are  content  to  be  solicitous  only  for  your 
immediate  family  or  your  own  parish  Church,  as  far 
as  necessity  requires ;  and  even  if  you  show  yourself 
an  active  parish  child,  yet  neglect  every  thing  in  re- 
gard to  caring  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  as  if  it  were 
a  duty  belonging  only  to  priests,  then  the  sincerity  of 
your  love  towards  Jesus  is  rather  self-deception. 

Whosoever  loves  Jesus  sincerely  provides  for  the 
salvation  of  souls,  even  though  he  be  not  a  Paul  nor  a 
Priest,  remembering  the  admonition  of  the  disciple  of 
love:  *' As  He  has  shed  His  blood  for  us,  so  we  should 
be  ready  to  shed  ours  for  each  soul." 

Th^  fourth  mark  of  sincere  love  is  that  magnanimity 
and  fidelity  which  leads  us  to  make  sacrifices,  even  if 
we  should  have  to  suffer  by  assisting  others. 

Behold  a  married  couple  blessed  with  the  goods  of 
the  world,  with  health  and  happiness,  because  prosper- 
ity has  smiled  upon  their  lives.  You  ask  me  whether 
they  love  one  another,  and  to  what  degree?  A  ques- 
tion difficult  to  answer,  while  they  continue  to  lead 
such  a  delightful  life.  On  the  contrary,  suppose  a 
youth  and  maiden  to  enter  the  married  life  with  every 
prospect  of  health  and  happiness,  and  behold  !  after 
a  few  qionths,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  laid  heavily 
upon  her,  and  He  calls  her  to  pass  under  His  chas- 
tening rod.  The  wife  becomes  incurably  ill,  the  hus- 
band loses  his  entire  wealth,  yet  their  love  remains 
the  same ;  yes,  its  flame  burns  even  more  brightly 
than  before.    Ah,  ^es  !  they  love  each  other  truly. 

You  say:   *' Yes,   I  love  Jesus;"  show  it  by  your 


THIRD    SERMON.  49 1 

love  for  the  cross,  by  your  patience,  If  the  Lord  Im- 
poses His  chastening  hand  upon  you.  If  then  your 
affections  of  love  multiply  towards  Jesus,  and  you  es- 
teem yourself  happy  that  He  has  drawn  you  to  Him- 
self by  the  royal  way  of  the  cross,  we  know  that  you 
really*have  a  sincere  love  towards  Him. 

And  what  in  all  this  world  so  effectively  conduces  to 
this  condition  of  sincere  love,  as  one  glance  at  the 
most  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  and  an  assiduous  culti- 
vation of  that  beautiful  devotion  ;  for  that  Heart  shed 
the  last  drop  of  blood  for  you  on  the  cross,  in  sincere 
love.  You  have  this  Sacred  Heart  present  in  the 
Blessed  Sacrament.  Go  then  before  the  tabernacle, 
and  think  of  Him  who  nourishes  you  so  often  with 
the  Holy  Sacrament,  and  gives  it  to  you  as  food. 

The  better  to  illustrate  this  I  will  relate  the  follow- 
ing event :  It  happened  that  a  ship  was  lost  at  sea, 
and  those  of  the  passengers  who  escaped  the  wreck 
were  cast  upon  a  desert  island.  Among  them  was  a 
mother  with  a  nursing  infant.  However,  the  joy  of 
the  passengers  at  their  rescue  was  of  brief  duration, 
for  they  discovered  that  the  soil  was  bleak  and  barren, 
and  afforded  no  food  whatever.  And  no  vessel  ap- 
peared to  bear  them  away,  the  mother  sat  holding 
the  starving  child  to  her  breast,  from  which  it  had 
drawn  the  very  last  drop  of  milk. 

The  mother  had  no  nutriment,  how  could  she  nour- 
ish it  ?    It  drew  with  such  force  that  it  took  from  her 
veins  the  life  blood,  yet  she  uttered  no  word  of  com- 
plaint. 
32 


492  FEAST    OF    THE    SACRED   HEART. 

The  mother  becoming  weaker  and  weaker,  the  pas- 
sengers entreated  her  to  let  the  child  die,  and,  perhaps, 
her  own  life  might  be  saved.  But  she  was  deaf  to 
their  prayers,  and  still  allowed  the  babe  to  drink  her^ 
blood ;  yes,  to  the  very  last  moment  of  her  life,  which 
was  indeed  at  hand,  for  her  head  drooped  upon  that 
faithful  breast ;  and  when  the  prayers  of  wrecked  pas- 
sengers, that  they  might  be  rescued,  were  heard  and 
a  vessel  came  in  sight,  she  was  dead.  The  child 
lived  and  grew  to  man's  estate,  and  when  the  youth 
heard  what  his  mother  had  done  for  him,  and  how  she 
had  nourished  him  with  her  blood,  the  heroic  act  filled 
his  heart  with  such  ardent  love  for  her,  that  from  the 
very  depths  of  his  yearning  heart  he  often  cried :  **  O 
mother  !  mother !  could  I  but  once  behold  you,  if  even 
for  one  moment,  only  to  thank  you  for-  your  devoted 
maternal  love.    Oh,  how  happy  would  I  not  feel!" 

Christians,  what  that  mother  did,  the  Sacred  Heart 
of  Jesus  is  doing  daily  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament, 
and  has  done  it  for  nineteen  hundred  years,  by  nour- 
ishing us  with  His  precious  blood.  As  children  of  God, 
as  members  of  the  Church,  we  can  thank  Him  for  it 
personally.  Oh,  then,  make  good  use  of  His  Presence 
on  your  altars,  particularly  by  frequent  and  worthy 
Communions. 

No  doubt  that  will  enkindle  and  nourish  in  your 
hearts  the,  fire  of  divine  love,  as  nothing  else  could  in 
the  world  ;  and  you  will  find  your  dearest  joy  in  cher- 
ishing a  sincere,  ardent,  and  faithful  love  towards  the 
Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus. — Amen  ! 


FEAST  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

**Thou  art  Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  My  Church." — Matt. 
xvi,  1 8. 

THE  Church  has  set  apart  this  day  as  the  Feast  of 
St.  Peter,  while  to-morrow  she  assigns  for  that 
of  his  faithful  coadjutor,  St.  Paul.  But  as  these  two 
great  champions  of  the  truth  were  so  intimately  asso- 
ciated in  their  mission,  proclaiming  together  to  the 
Romans  the  divine  word,  which  would  lead  them  to 
life  eternal,  and  disseminating,  with  the  most  happy 
results,  our  holy  religion  in  the  principal  city  of  the 
world,  the  Church,  to  perpetuate  their  glorious  memory 
together  in  the  hearts  of  the  faithful,  upon  the  feast 
of  one  or  the  other,  observes  the  commemoration  of 
both.  Their  combined  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  Church 
were  productive  of  such  luminous  effects  that  St.  Paul 
himself  gives  testimony  thereto,  when  writing  to  the 
Romans,  in  the  following  words :  ''  Your  faith  is  spoken 
of  in  the  whole  world."  As  SS.  Peter  and  Paul,  more- 
over, on  the  very  same  day,  and  for  the  very  same 
faith,  gave  up  their  lives,  and  received  in  heaven  the 
martyr's  crown,  it  is  fitting,  indeed,  that  hymns  of 

(493) 


494  FEAST    OF    ST.    PETER    AND    ST.    PAUL. 

praise  should,  throughout  the  CathoHc  world,  ascend 
on  high  in  honor  of  both. 

Let  us  to-day,  in  honor  of  St.  Peter,  consider :  how 
all  that  renders  the  Church  so  majestic  and  glorious  by 
her  marks,  is  due  to  the  privileges  given  by  Christ  to 
the  Pope — His  Vicar  on  eaidh. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  Apostles,  whose  maternal  bless- 
ing rejoiced  the  heart  of  St.  Peter  when,  for  the  first 
time,  on  Pentecost,  he  preached  the  word  of  God,  ob- 
tain for  us  the  grace  to  honor  the  prince  of  the  Apos- 
tles in  his  successor! 

1  speak  m  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


During  the  solemn  ceremonies  attendant  upon  the 
coronation  of  a  newly-elected  Pontiff,  the  cardinal  dea- 
con, second  in  rank,  approaching  the  Vicar  of  Christ, 
addresses  him  thus:  *•  Know  that  the  Lord  has  made 
of  thee  the  ruler  of  the  universe,  and  that  thou  art  His 
earthly  representative.  To  Christ  the  Lord  be  ever- 
lasting praise  and  glory." 

This  admonition  to  the  newly-elected  Head  of  the 
Church  is  full  of  the  deepest  meaning,  not  only  to  him, 
but  to  us;  for  it  serves  to  remind  his  faithful  children 
to  render  to  him  the  honor,  love,  and  obedience  which 
belong  to  him  as  head  of  the  Church,  and  to  pay  the 
tribute  with  a  willing  heart. 

That  we  may,  at  one  glance,  conceive  a  just  idea 
of.  the  glory  which  surrounds  the  pontificate  of  the 


FIRST    SERMON.  495 

successor  of  St.  Peter,  and  realize  its  dignity  in  its 
entire  grandeur,  we  need  but  look  at  the  kingdom  of 
God  on  earth,  the  Church,  and  consider  how  all  that  so 
wonderfully  exalts  it  emanates  from  its  venerable  head. 

Who  can  behold  this  ancient  and  impregnable  city 
of  God,  so  distinguished  and  glorified  through  those 
four  towers  of  strength,  her  marks,  and  refrain  from 
admiration  and  love!  The  Church  is  07ie ;  she  is  holy; 
she  is  Catholic ;  she  is  apostolic ;  she  is,  moreover,  infal- 
lible and  indestructible,  and  the  Vicar  of  Christ  watches 
over  it  all. 

,The  Church  is  07ie!  Look  around  the  world,  and 
behold  the  thousands  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
men  upon  whose  religious  dissensions  and  wranglings 
the  sun  never  sets.  Division  of  opinion,  factions  and 
revolutions,  new  sects  spring  up  every  day  on  the 
ruins  of  the  old.  Throughout  all  disunion  arises,  save 
in  the  Church  of  God  alone.  She  knows  no  compro- 
mise between  truth  and  error.  All  those  who  do  not 
confess  what  she  teaches,  or  refuse  her  the  submis- 
sion of  their  will  and  judgment,  must  go  forth  from 
her  fold.  And  for  the  maintenance  of  this  wonderful 
union  she  is  principally  indebted  to  the  Pope. 

The  earliest  of  the  fathers  of  the  Church  have  most 
emphatically  asserted  this.  '*It  can  not  be  denied/* 
writes  Optatus  of  Milevi,  "  that  to  St.  Peter  Rome  is  in- 
debted for  the  establishment  of  the  first  dogmatical  chair, 
that  over  the  whole  Church  unity  might  be  preserved.'* 

Remove  from  the  Church  of  God  the  venerable 
ruler  who  wields  the  scepter  of  her  spiritual  desti- 


496  FEAST    OF    ST.    PETER    AND    ST.    PAUL. 

nies;  take  from  her  that  shepherd  who  for  so  many 
centuries  has  guarded  the  flock  of  Christ,  and  unity 
would  prevail  no  more. 

The  Sovereign  Pontiff  is  the  center  of  unity,  the  cen- 
ter toward  which  every  thing  in  the  spiritual  creation 
of  the  Church  must  ever  tend — the  sun — to  which  the 
children  of  the  Church  must  look  for  solace,  light  and 
warmth,  derived  by  him  from  the  Sacred  Heart  of 
Christ. 

The  Church,  as  we  learn  from  her  divine  Founder, 
is  built  upon  one  rock,  not  upon  two ;  and  this  rock 
which  procures  for  her  individuality  and  unity  is  Peter, 
and  in  him,  his  successor,  the  Pope. 

The  Church  is  holy.  This  characteristic  of  the 
Church  casts  a  halo  of  light  about  her.  She  is  the 
glorious  Mother  of  all  who  have  lived  upon  earth  in 
the  practice  of  virtues  so  exalted  that  the  Lord  of 
heaven  and  earth  has  attested  and  glorified  them  by 
numberless  most  astonishing  miracles.  And  what  is 
it  that  enables  the  saints  of  God  to  rise  so  far  above 
this  poor  weak  nature  of  ours  and  become  what  they 
are  to-day  ?  It  was  a  participation  in  all  those  means 
of  sanctification  which  Christ  has  communicated  to 
this  Church. 

But  the  Pope  is  the  source  from  which  emanates 
every  act  of  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction.  Besides,  there 
is  no  other  state  or  calling  in  life  which,  in  proportion 
to  its  numbers,  can  bring  forward  such  a  glorious  array 
of  saints,  whom  the  Church-  has  placed  upon  her  altars 
for  the  veneration  of  the  faithful.    Among  the  two  hun- 


FIRST    SERMON.  497 

dred  and  fifty-seven  of  the  successors  of  St.  Peter  eighty 
Saints  are  placed  on  the  altars.  It  is  true  that  there 
were  many  sainted  bishops  ;  there  have  been  Princes, 
Kings,  and  Emperors, — men  of  almost  every -state  and 
rank, — whom  we  venerate  as  canonized  saints ;  but,  in 
proportion,  they  are  by  far  not  so  numerous  as  the 
saints  who  once  graced  St.  Peter's  chair. 

There  is,  therefore,  a  deep  moral  motive  in  the  uni- 
versal feeling  of  veneration  which  has  impelled  the 
faithful  to  bestow  upon  the  Sovereign  Pontiff  a  title 
which  not  even  those  of  a  different  creed  refus^  to 
him — the  title  of  ''Holy  Father T  It  is  he  to  whom 
belong  the  words  of  Christ  to  St.  Peter,  whose  suc- 
cessor he  is:  ''I  give  unto  thee  the  keys  of  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  ;''  and  who,  consequently,  has  the  power  to 
open  that  celestial  realm  for  all  who  deserve  admis- 
sion, and  to  enroll  on  earth  among  the  saints  all  who, 
by  their  holy  lives,  merit  that  glorious  honor. 

Even  this  is  not  the  limit  of  his  power,  for  he  can 
open  to  those  departed  suffering  souls  so  dear  to  God 
the  treasure  of  the  graces  of  the  Church  ;  and,  that 
they  may  be  the  more  speedily  released  from  the  puri- 
fying fire  of  purgatory,  he  mercifully  applies  to  them, 
for  their  perfect  purgation,  the  merits  of  Christ  our 
Saviour,  by  granting  a  plenary  indulgence.  Then, 
nothing  can  detain  them  from  entering  the  celestial 
portals,  and  pouring  forth  their  love  and  gratitude  be- 
fore the  throne  of  God.  What  a  high  and  holy  privi- 
lege !  what  a  sublime  dignity  has  Christ  conferred  upon 
the  Pope! 


498  FEAST   OF    ST.    PETER    AND    ST.    PAUL. 

The  Church  is  Catholic  or  universal;  and  to  whom 
is  she  indebted  for  this  ?  To  the  successor  of  St.  Peter, 
for  it  is  through  him  that  she  retains  her  unity,  without 
which  men  of  every  land,  although  indeed  a  multitude, 
would  be  utterly  unable  to  form  such  an  ecclesiastical 
organization. 

She  is  the  Church  of  nations,  because  more  than 
two  hundred  millions  of  men,  of  every  clime  and 
every  tongue,  look  up  to  him  who  rules  this  Church 
and  lovingly  call  him  *'  Father." 

St.  Bernard  pays  a  fitting  tribute  to  the  papal  dig- 
nity in  the  following  energetic  words,  which  he  directed 
to  Pope  Eugene  III.,  whom  the  voice  of  God,  guiding 
the  choice  of  the  Church,  summoned  from  the  cloistered 
walls  of  Clugny  to  wield  the  scepter  of  the  Church.  St. 
Bernard,  his  former  superior  and  spiritual  father,  ad- 
dressed him  in  the  following  words:  "  Who  art  thou? 
The  Prince  of  Bishops  and  Apostles ;  in  the  primacy, 
Abel ;  in  the  government,  Noe ;  in  the  patriarchate, 
Abraham ;  in  the  priestly  character,  Melchisedec ;  in  thy  ♦ 
dignity,  Aaron ;  in  thy  power,  Peter ;  in  thy  unction, 
Christ!" 

Most  justly,  therefore,  did  the  great  St.  Cyprian, 
more  than  sixteen  centuries  ago,  pen  the  following 
words:  ''To  be  in  communion  with  the  Pope  means 
to  be  in  communion  with  the  whole  Catholic  world." 

Take  the  sovereign  Pontiff  from  the  Church  there- 
fore, and  she  will  cease  to  be  Catholic. 

The  Church  is  apostolic.  She  knows  and  will  rec- 
ognize no  other  Founder  than  Christ,  Who  commis- 


FIRST    SERMON.  499 

sioned  His  Apostles  to  propagate  her  faith  over  all 
the  earth,  and  it  is  her  Head  who  secures  to  her  the 
mark  of  apostolicity,  for  the  pontifical  succession  has 
reached  from  the  time  of  the  Apostles — from  Peter, 
Linus,  Clement — uninterrupted  and  unbroken,  until 
the  present  day. 

The  ''  Confessio'*  as  it  Is  called — the  spot  at  Rome 
where  St.  Peter  was  martyred ;  the  spot  which  was  en- 
riched by  his  blood — is  the  trunk  of  that  mighty  and 
magnificent  tree  from  which  sprang  other  churches  in 
every  part  of  the  world  ;  so  that  St.  Augustine  might 
well  exclaim:  "The  Chain  which  rivets  me  to  the 
Catholic  Church  is  the  unbroken  succession  of  that 
glorious  line  of  pontiffs  who  have  filled  St.  Peter's 
chair.  Behold  all  those  who  have  succeeded  each 
other  there!  Oh,  this  is.  Indeed,  the  rock  upon  which 
the  Church  is  built,  against  which  the  gates  of  hell  can 
never  prevail!" 

The  Church  Is  infallible.  What  a  distinction  for 
her!  The  kingdom  of  truth  upon  earth — a  world  full 
of  doubt,  contradiction,  and  lies!  And  through  whom 
is  she  infallible?  St.  Thomas  of  Aquin,  the  greatest 
of  all  theologians,  will  answer:  **  It  is  because  her 
Head  is  infallible  ;  because  he  has  been  endowed  with 
that  power  ever  since  Christ  said  to  St.  Peter :  '  Satan 
has  desired  to  have  you  to  sift  you  as  wheat,  but  I  have 
prayed  for  thee  Peter,  that  thy  faith  fail  not ;  and  thou 
being  once  converted,  confirm  thy  brethren,'  and  ever 
since  the  earliest  ages  of  Christianity  the  popes  have 
faithfully  done  this.'* 


500  FEAST   OF    ST.    PETER    AND    ST.    PAUL. 

The  Church  is  indestructible.  What  a  glorious  privi- 
lege is  this  in  a  world  where  every  thing  else  yields  to 
the  withering  touch  of  time !  It  is  the  indestructible 
nature  of  the  rock  upon  which  she  is  built  which  se- 
cures for  her  this  enviable  attribute.  It  is  St.  Peter  in 
the  reigning  Pontiff,  whoever  he  may  be,  who,  inspired 
by  Christ,  secures  this  indestructibility  to  the  Catholic 
Church,  as  the  history  of  every  age  has  shown. 

Not  only  was  she  tossed  about  on  the  waves  of  dis- 
puted dogma,  but  for  three  hundred  weary  years  the 
bloody  sword  of  persecution  was  drawn,  and  the  blood 
of  many  martyrs  became  the  seed  of  the  infant  Church. 
Twenty-eight  Popes  gave  up  their  lives  for  the  faith; 
and,  by  their  example,  ''confirmed  their  brethren"  in 
the  faith  until  Pope  Sylvester  planted  the  cross  upon 
the  crown  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

Then  came  the  migration  of  nations.  Rome,  with 
the  West,  is  forsaken,  and  left  without  protection  from 
the  emperors.  But,  behold!  the  Popes,  in  the  might  of 
their  power,  checked  the  incoming  tide  of  barbarians, 
converted  the  Asiatic  hordes  to  our  holy  faith,  and  laid 
the  foundation  of  the  civilization  of  to-day. 

The  Musselman's  creed,  making  such  rapid  advances, 
threatened  to  blot  out  Christianity,  could  such  a  thing 
have  been  possible ;  but  there  were  the  Popes,  who  en- 
couraged the  Crusades,  and  crushed  the  encroachment. 
At  home,  despotism  enslaved  even  nations  professing 
Christianity;  but  the  Popes  broke  the  arrogant  spirit 
of  royalty,  and  secured  the  freedom  of  the  people. 

But,  with  the  advance  of  time,  all  this  was  forgotten ; 


FIRST    SERMON.  5OI 

nations  were  misled  by  fanatical  demagogues,  while 
pseudo-philosophers  and  revolutionists  destroyed  the 
basis  of  human  society,  and  trampled  upon  the  interests 
of  mankind.  But  Popes,  as  were  Pius  VI.  and  VII.,  pro- 
nounced the  anathema  against  this  corruption,  while  the 
wicked  raged  at  the  check  thus  put  on  their  schemes, 
and  chafed  in  their  ire,  but  in  vain! 

And,  in  our  day,  we  know  how  a  false  and  inflated 
knowledge  seeks  to  sully  the  purity  of  faith.  We  be- 
hold how  ''modern  progress,"  in  this  nineteenth  cen- 
tury, and  its  boasted  civilization,  glories  in  trampling 
upon  the  liberties  of  the  Church,  and  points  at  her  the 
finger  of  scorn.  But  Pope  Pius  IX.  confronted  this 
arrogance,  and  by  his  ecclesiastical  censures  crushed 
down  its  assaults. 

Do  not  think  that  the  Church,  or  her  venerable 
Pontiffs,  would  ever  raise  their  voice,  or  exert  their 
power,  against  the  blessings  of  real  progress,  for,  that 
they  have  ever  encouraged.  She  has  been  its  mother, 
and  she  has  ever  ranked  first  in  assisting  to  promote 
Its  advance.  But,  at  the  same  time,  through  her 
Pontiffs,  she  has  ever  condemned  those  who  abused 
it  for  the  promotion  of  their  own  vile  ends, — to  en- 
slave religious  freedom,  and  destroy  the  purity  of 
faith, — with  a  courage  and  firmness  which  equalled 
that  of  the  martyrs  of  old. 

It  is  an  honor,  indeed,  for  a  mortal  to  be  ranked 
among  those  who  have  been  chosen  to  be  the  suc- 
cessors of  Peter,  the  Head  of  the  Church  of  God,  the 
Vicar  of  Christ,  and  to  enjoy  the  greatest  dignity  ever 


502  FEAST    OF    ST.    PETER    AND    ST.    PAUL. 

conferred  upon  man  by  God.  Leo  XIII.  fully  realizes 
the  greatness  of  this  honor,  and  gloriously  guards  the 
interests  of  the  Church.  But  let  the  faithful  children 
of  the  Church  be  also  encouraged  to  stand  up  boldly 
for  the  rights  of  the  Pontifical  Chair ;  and,  through 
their  veneration,  attachment,  and  fidelity  to  the  Pope, 
show  themselves  to  be  devoted  and  worthy  children  of 
the  Holy  Catholic  Church. — Amen ! 


SECOND    SERMON.  503 


SECOND  SERMON. 

**  Simon,  I  have  prayed  for  thee  that  thy  faith  fail  not  ;  and  thou,  being 
once  converted,  confirm  thy  brethren." — Luke  xxii,  32. 

HOLY  SCRIPTURE  tells  us  that,  ere  yet  our  first 
parents  had  forfeited  their  right  to  dwell  amid 
the  varied  charms  of  Eden,  while  their  still  pure 
and  innocent  souls  enabled  them  to  revel  in  its  de- 
lights without  a  thought  of  care,  God  created  in  them 
the  spirit  of  knowledge  and  filled  them  with  wisdom. 
Unfortunately,  they  listened  to  the  seductive  voice  of 
the  tempter,  yielded  to  sin,  and,  in  consequence,  both 
they  and  their  posterity  were  deprived  of  those  gifts 
in  their  perfection.  To  atone  for  this  deficiency,  there- 
fore, man  is  bound  to  acquire  such  knowledge  as  will 
enable  him  not  only  to  provide  for  his  temporal  ne- 
cessities, but  also  to  learn  the  truths  of  revelation, 
that  he  may  walk  in  the  way  of  salvation,  fulfill  the 
will  of  God,  and  one  day  receive  an  eternal  reward. 

This  granted,  my  dear  brethren,  it  becomes  evident 
at  once  that  Catholics  should  be  so  thoroughly  in- 
structed in  their  holy  faith  as  to  be  able  to  defend  or 
explain  it  when  called  upon. 

At  the  time  when  the  early  dawn  of  Christianity 
first  beamed  upon  a  world  so  long  groping  in  the 
darkness  of  error,  the  first  Christians  knew  every 
point  of  faith,  and  could  impart  that  knowledge,  too, 
to  those  who  were  longing  to  seek  refuge  in  the  fold 
of  Christ ;  but,  alas !  it  is  no  longer  so. 


504  FEAST    OF    ST.   PETER    AND    ST.   PAUL. 

Look,  for  example,  at  that  article  of  faith  which  has 
been  recently  defined  to  be  a  dogma — much  to  the 
joy  of  all  devoted  Catholics — ^but  amid  such  a  storm 
of  opposition  from  the  side  of  unbelievers,  and  even 
of  some  Catholics  themselves.  And  but  few  Catholics 
comprehend  it  even  now  so  fully  as  to  explain  or  de- 
fend it  to  those  who  treat  it  with  scorn. 

/  allude  to  the  dogma  of  the  Infallibility  of  the  Pope, 
of  which,  in  my  sermon  to-day,  I  will  present  to  you  the 
proofs. 

0  Mary,  most  perfect  model  of  a  living  faith,  who, 
as  we  are  taught  by  the  Church,  didst  so  often  crush 
the  heresies  in  their  very  birth,  pray  to  thy  divine 
Son  that  we  may  never  desert  that  holy  faith ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 


If,  beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  it  is  so  essentially 
necessary,  especially  in  our  own  day,  for  the  Catholic 
Christian  to  be  in  general  well  instructed  in  all  mat- 
ters of  faith,  a  thorough  knowledge  of  those  truths 
which  have  been  more  recently  defined  as  necessary 
to  be  believed,  is  of  the  utmost  importance.  Scarcely 
any  other  article  of  faith  has  been  so  disfigured  and 
distorted  as  the  dogma  of  the  Infallibility  of  the  Pope  ; 
and,  being  but  imperfectly  understood  by  Catholics 
themselves,  defection  from  faith  sometimes  was  the 
result.    Witness  the  sect  of  "■  Old  Catholics  "  in  Ger- 


SECOND    SERMON.  565 

many,  which  numbers  in  its  ranks  some  of  the  most 
renowned  professors  and  learned  savants  of  that  land. 
Therefore,  parents,  I  entreat  you,  if  you  love  the  souls 
of  your  children,  listen  to  my  words  to-day. 

Let  your  children  not  suffer  shipwreck  in  their  faith, 
and  therefore  instruct  them  most  carefully  as  to  the 
meaning  of  the  assertion,  **  The  Pope  is  infallible." 

The  time  will  soon  come  for  your  child  to  leave  his 
home  and  choose  a  career  in  life.  He  will  possibly 
meet  with  companions  of  a  different  faith.  He  will  be 
questioned  as  to  whether  he,  as  a  Catholic,  believes 
in  the  Trinity,  the  Real  Presence,  and  sacramental 
confession.  He  will,  no  doubt,  answer  in  the  affirma- 
tive. But  now  his  Protestant  or  infidel  friend  may 
ask :  ''  Tell  me  if  you  also  believe  that  a  mere  man  is 
infallible."  '*  A  man  infallible?  I  don't  believe  that  he 
is  infallible."  *'But,"  continues  the  Protestant,  ''your 
Church  and  her  ministers  insist  upon  the  infallibility 
of  the  Pope,  which  blasphemous  assertion  is  nothing 
else  than  investing  a  man  with  the  attributes  of  God." 
How  can  your  child  reply  as  he  should  unless,  before 
his  departure  from  the  paternal  roof,  you  were  careful 
to  have  him  well  instructed  in  his  religion,  especially 
in  regard  to  this  pontifical  attribute  ? 

Parents  !  the  responsibility  is  yours ;  therefore  listen 
with  a  particular  attention  to  that  which  I  shall  say  on 
this  subject  to-day,  that  you  may  conceive  a  proper 
idea  of  so  important  a  matter,  and  impart  to  your  chil- 
dren a  knowledge  sufficient  to  answer  satisfactorily  the 
enemies  of  our  faith.  t 


506       FEAST  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL. 

First,  I  answer  to  the  question,  What  do  we  mean 
by  saying  that  the  Pope  is  infallible  ? 

Secondly,  How  can  we  prove  that  he  is  infallible  ? 

Thirdly,  How  can  we  reply  to  the  questions  or  ob- 
jections most  generally  brought  forward  against  it  ? 

First,  What  does  it  mean  that  the  Pope  is  infallible  ? 
I  answer :  It  does  not  mean  that  the  Pope  is  infallible 
when  he  merely  converses,  preaches,  or  writes  upon 
faith.  It  does  not  mean  that  he  can  not  err  in  matters 
of  a  purely  worldly  nature  or  in  questions  of  science ; 
neither  are  we  to  understand  that  in  political  affairs 
he  can  make  no  mistake.  Above  all,  it  does  not  mean 
that  he  is  impeccable ;  that  is,  exempt  from  the  com- 
mission of  sin.  What,  then,  does  it  mean?  By  saying 
that  Christ's  Vicar  on  earth  is  infallible,  we  mean  that 
he,  as  the  successor  of  St.  Peter  and  representative  of 
Christ  on  earth,  can  not  err  in  matters  oi  faith  when 
he,  as  Head  of  the  Church,  pronounces  to  the  whole 
Church  a  decision  of  faith  upon  some  disputed  point. 

For  instance,  as  to  whether  a  certain  something  is 
a  revealed  truth  or  not,  or  whether  it  stands  in  imme- 
diate relation  to  some  revealed  truth.  Here,  my  breth- 
ren, the  Pope  is  infallible  ;  and  even  here  it  is  not  from 
any  intrinsic  merit  of  his  own,  but  through  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  Who,  ever  watchful  of  the  interests  of 
His  Holy  Church,  bestowed  upon  him  this  gift. 

Now,  how  can  the  prerogative  of  Infallibility  be 
proved?  How  can  we  convince  those  who  do  not 
believe  it  that  it  is  not  a  mere  assumption  of  author- 
ity on  the  part  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiffs  ? 


SECOND    SERMON.  .    507 

There  are  three  passages  in  which  our  divine  Lord 
Himself  assures  us  of  it ;  first,  when  He  spoke  of  es- 
tablishing His  Church,  and  addressed  to  the  venerable 
chief  of  the  apostles  those  memorable  words:  ''Thou 
art  Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  My  Church, 
and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  never  prevail  against  her." 

Age  after  age  has  rolled  away,  and  yet  she  has 
stood  firm  and  immovable,  undaunted  by  the  malice 
of  her  foes,  and  all  because  the  faith  which  she  teaches 
is  truth  itself.  If,  then,  according  to  the  words  ot 
Christ  Himself,  St.  Peter  is  the  firmly  established  foun- 
dation of  the  Church,  then  the  faith  he  teaches  must 
be  without  a  blemish ;  for  let  the  foundation  totter, 
and  the  structure  which  it  supports  must  fall — a  ruined 
pile ! 

Again,  we  read  in  Holy  Writ  (Luke  xxii,  32)  that 
when,  upon  one  occasion,  our  Lord  referred  to  the 
diabolical  malice  of  Satan,  who  exerted  himself  to  the 
utmost  to  destroy  the  infant  Church,  He  exclaimed: 
*' Simon,  I  have  prayed  for  thee  that  thy  faith  fail  not; 
and  thou,  being  once  converted,  confirm  thy  breth- 
ren." And  can  we  doubt,  for  one  little  moment,  be- 
loved in  Christ,  that  a  prayer  offered  up  by  the  Son  of 
God  made  man  would  fail  to  achieve  its  end ;  and  that 
at  that  very  moment  the  power  of  infallibly  deciding 
in  matters  of  faith  was  imparted  to  St.  Peter  and  his 
Successors,  in  order  that  the  Church  might  be  con- 
firmed in  faith  and  the  salvation  of  her  children  se- 
cured ? 

Lastly,  Christ  thus  addressed  Peter,  after  His  resur- 
33 


508       FEAST  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL. 

rection  arid  before  ascending  to  heaven:  ''Feed  My 
lambs;  feed  My  sheep."  These  words,  dear  brethren, 
inculcate  obedience  in  all  matters  of  faith,  on  the  part 
of  the  faithful — the  bishops  as  well  as  the  laity;  the 
sheep  as  well  as  the  lambs — to  the  successor  of  St. 
Peter,  the  sovereign  Pontiff.  For  the  word  of  God — 
the  right  and  full  instruction  in  matters  of  faith — is 
the  pasture  which  sustains  the  spiritual  life  of  the  flock 
of  Christ,  Who,  therefore,  deemed  it  necessary  to 
secure  the  prerogative  of  Infallibility  to  St.  Peter  and 
the  long  line  of  popes,  who  have  succeeded,  and  will 
continue  to  succeed,  him  until  the  end  of  time,  that 
they  might  never  lead  the  souls,  whose  salvation  He 
had  purchased  at  so  dear  a  rate,  to  graze  in  poisoned 
meadows. 

The  existence  of  this  power  attached  to  the  dignity 
of  the  Pope,  which  Christ  so  decidedly  and  gloriously 
has  enunciated  in  the  three  preceding  passages  of  Holy 
Writ,  has  always  been  acknowledged  and  recognized 
by  the  Church,  from  the  time  of  the  Apostles  until  the 
present  day,  as  a  prerogative  which  the  successors  of 
St.  Peter  have  always  both  exercised  and  required  to 
be  obeyed. 

In  proof  of  this  we  need  only  take  into  considera- 
tion the  opinions  of  the  holy  fathers,  from  the  Apos- 
tles to  St.  Bernard,  who  all  confess  with  St.  Jerome: 
"  I  swerve  not  from  that  which  the  Head  of  .the  Holy 
Roman  Church  commands  to  be  believed ;  for  upon  the 
teaching  of  the  chair  of  St.  Peter  the  Church  is  con- 
firmed in  faith."    The  holy  fathers  all  cry  out,  and  con- 


SECOND    SERMON.  509 

fess  with  St.  Augustine :  "  No  more  discussion,  Rome 
has  spoken ! " 

This  privilege  of  St.  Peter  in  his  successors,  the 
popes,  has  been  acknowledged  also  by  all  the  Bcu- 
menical  Councils  or  assemblies  of  the  Church — fathers 
in  the  East  and  the  West,  from  the  first  to  the  last. 
Unanimously  they  cry  out  with  the  fathers  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  Chalcedon  :  ''  Leo  speaks.  St.  Peter  speaks 
through  him.  We  believe  with  Leo;"  and  they  all 
confess  with  those  of  the  Sixth  General  Council:  'Tt 
seems  but  paper  and  ink,  but,  through  Agatho,  Peter 
has  spoken ;  Peter  lives  among  us  in  his  successors  as 
Head  of  the  Roman  Church." 

This  infallible  right  of  decision  has  also  ever  been, 
and  is  still,  acknowledged  by  the  mightiest  intellects 
of  every  age.  Men  of  the  greatest  learning  and  re- 
nown, as  doctors  in  the  Church,  have  always  been 
ready  to  agree  with  St.  Thomas  of  Aquin,  the  most 
celebrated  of  all  theologians.  He  says:  ''The  Church 
is  infallible,  for  her  head  is  infallible,  according  to  the 
promise  of  Christ :  Simon,  I  have  prayed  for  thee  that 
thy  faith  fail  not." 

Acting  then  upon  this  infallible  right  the  Sovereign 
Pontiffs  themselves  have  throughout  all  ages,  and  in 
the  face  of  the  whole  ecclesiastical  world  exercised  this 
privilege,  from  the  earliest  days  of  Christianity  until 
now.  All  heresies  were  judged  by  the  Pope  as  Head 
of  the  Church  within  or  without  the  councils,  and, 
therefore,  to  say  that  history  can  show  nothing  of  this 
privilege,  and  that  the  definition  of  the  ''Infallibility 


5IO       FEAST  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL. 

of  the  Pope,''  as  a  dogma,  was  a  mere  scheme  of  Pius 
IX.  and  the  bishops  of  the  Vatican  Council,  is  simply 
absurd. 

So  far  from  this,  there  is  no  other  article  of  faith  to 
which  Church  history  so  frequently  points  as  this,  so 
amply  has  Christ  provided  for  the  faith  of  the  Church 
for  all  time. 

Finally,  beloved  in  Christ,  when  you  speak  upon 
this  subject  with  Protestants,  especially  Americans, 
remind  them  that  in  every  state  there  is  a  supreme 
court  from  whose  decisions  there  can  be  no  appeal ; 
otherwise  disputes  would  never  cease,  and  all  govern- 
ment would  be  at  an  end.  In  Washington,  for  exam- 
ple, there  is  the  Chief  Justice,  to  whose  decision  all 
must  yield.  Beloved  in  Christ,  what  this  chief  justice 
is  for  the  national  government,  the  Sovereign  Pontiff 
is  for  the  Church;  the  difference  only  consisting  in 
this  !  that  neither  the  United  States  nor  any  other  gov- 
ernment does  claim  to  be  a  kingdom  of  truth.  But 
the  Church  assures  us  that  she  is  the  kingdom  of 
truth,  and  her  divine  Founder  tells  us  that  he  is  the 
King  of  truth.  It  may  be  advisable  to  sacrifice  one's 
rights  for  the  public  welfare  ;  but  no  one  who  has  the 
consciousness  of  a  rational  being  will  willingly  palm 
off  error  for  truth.  Consequently,  all  unprejudiced 
thinking  men  over  the  entire  world,  if  they  only  give 
the  subject  sufficient  consideration,  must  know  and 
confess  that  when  the  Church  declares  herself  infalli- 
ble, her  Head,  in  pronouncing  upon  questions  of  faith, 
must  be  so  too.    If  this  were  not  the  case  there  would 


SECOND    SERMON.  5II 

be  an  interminable  chain  of  doubts,  dissensions,  and 
disputes. 

But  some  may  ask:  Why  then  did  the  Gallicans  so 
strenuously  oppose  this  dogma,  and  reject  it  even 
after  its  definition  was  announced  to  the  world? 

That  they  did  indeed  do  so  is  a  lamentable  fact; 
but  the  motives  which  guided  their  conduct,  especially 
in  England  and  France,  was  to  flatter  those  sovereigns 
who  aspired  not  only  to  govern  the  state,  but  the 
Church  in  the  state  as  well. 

In  Germany  also  the  promulgation  of  Papal  Infalli- 
bility, as  an  article  of  faith,  elicited  a  storm  of  oppo- 
sition from  certain  learned  theologians,  who  disdained 
to  submit  their  understanding  to  the  decision  of  the 
Church;  but  this  opposition,  my  brethren,  had  its  or- 
igin in  a  spirit  of  pride  which  rebelled  for  not  hav- 
ing been  invited  to  the  Vatican  Council. 

More  than  thirty  years  have  elapsed  since  I  lived  in 
Europe,  and  read  the  writings  of  him  who  has  since 
become  the  principal  actor  in  the  recent  heretical  and 
scandalous  movement  in  Germany,  and  I  predicted 
even  then,  that  he  would  become  a  heresiarch,  that  is, 
the  founder  of  a  new  heretical  sect.  Every  line  of 
what  proceeded  from  his  pen  bore  upon  it  the  impress 
of  pride,  insincerity,  and  willful  blindness. 

But  God  be  forever  praised,  beloved  in  Christ,  that 
the  bishops  of  our  Holy  Church  remained  faithful  to . 
their  calling  !    Not  one  joined  the  r-anks  of  that  heret- 
ical body,  although  some  priests  were  so  false  as  to 
do  so,  and  even  so  guilty  as  to  forget  their  vows,  and 


512  FEAST    OF    ST.    PETER    AND    ST.    PAUL. 

marry.  And  that  reveals  plainly  that  in  their  hearts  they 
had  long  ago  wished  to  give  up  their  allegiance  to  the 
Church ;  and  pride  is  never  slow  in  opening  wide  the 
portals  through  which  carnal  desire  may  come.  But 
heed  what  I  say,  my  brethren,  the  day  is  close  at 
hand  which  will  witness  the  dying  struggles  of  that 
sect. 

Let  us  then  give  eternal  praise  and  thanks  to  God, 
Whose  divine  will  it  was  that  this  dogma  should  be 
solemnly  proclaimed  before  the  end  of  time,  and  Who 
so  blesses  His  Church  that  never  has  she  felt  interiorly 
so  immutable,  firm,  and  secure.  This  definition  has 
secured  for  her  perfect  immunity  against  all  possible 
storms  from  without  and  within,  no  matter  how 
fiercely  they  rage  in  matters  of  faith.  At  whatever 
emergency,  all  eyes  will  then  be  only  directed  with  in- 
fallible assurance  to  the  decision  of  the  Sovereign 
Pontiff. 

Even  if  the  successor  of  St.  Peter  should  be  for^ 
cibly  deprived  of  the  Vatican,  and  banished  from  his 
home  in  the  Eternal  City,  no  matter  if  he  withdraw 
to  the  uttermost  limits  of  the  earth,  never  more  to 
behold  the  gold  and  crimson  of  the  setting  sun  tinge 
with  a  glorious  radiance  the  s6ven  hills  of  Rome,  still 
we  may  exclaim  with  St.  Ambrose:  "  Where  Peter 
is,  there  is  the  Church, — there  is  the  One  upon  whom 
Christ  bestowed  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
St.  Peter  lives  in  his  successor — the  Pope !  There  is 
the  certainty  of  faith,  the  way  of  salvation  !  " — Amen! 


THIRD    SERMON.  513 


THIRD  SERMON. 

**  Thou  art  Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  My  Church,  and  the  gates 
of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  her." — Matt,  xvi,  i8. 

EIGHTEEN  hundred  years  and  more  have  rolled 
away  since  the  divine  Founder  of  our  Holy 
Church  uttered  these  consoling  words  to  the  prince 
of  the  Apostles,  when  He  invested  him  with  the  power 
of  the  keys;  and,  of  all  those  years,  we  can  scarcely 
point  to  one  wherein  the  storms  of  persecution  have 
not  raged  so  wildly  and  fiercely,  in  one  or  another 
portion  of  His  spiritual  domain,  that,  at  times,  the 
enemies  of  religion  rejoiced  in  the  hope  that  the  hour 
of  their  triumph  was  at  hand ! 

But,  firm  and  unshaken  in  her  power  and  might — 
pure,  holy,  immaculate — the  Church  still  stands  forth, 
the  kingdom  of  God  on  earth.  She  combats  and  con- 
quers ;  and  will  at  last  celebrate,  with  Christ  in  heaven, 
the  never-ending  triumph  of  victory. 

But  of  what  avail  would  it  be  for  you,  my  dearly  be- 
loved, if  the  Immaculate  Bride  of  Christ  rise  far  above 
the  malice  of  her  foes,  and  you  yourselves,  though  you 
be  Catholics,  were  to  go  to  perdition  ? 

*' You  are  temples  of  God,"  says  the  Apostle  ;  and 
Christ,  the  Incarnate  Son  of  God,  Himself  assures  us 
that  the  kingdom  of  God  is  within  us.  This  kingdom 
is  also  exposed  to  the  assaults  of  temptation,  and  the 
artful  attacks  of  the  enemy  of  our  souls,  whose  de- 


514      FEAST  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL. 

monlac  joy  it  is  to  win  us  from  our  allegiance  to  this 
heavenly  realm. 

Therefore,  our  lives  must  be  one  constant  struggle, 
which  can  only  end  with  life ;  for,  as  children  of  the 
militant  Church,  we  must  valiantly  fight,  if  we  wish 
to  participate  in  her  grand  celestial  triumph. 

Full  well  did  the  great  St.  Augustine  comprehend 
this  truth  when  he  said:  "I  beheld  men  falling,  who 
once  stood  as  pillars  in  the  Church."  Beloved  in 
Christ,  what  a  motive  to  incite  us  to  try,  by  every 
means  in  our  power,  to  strengthen  this  kingdom  of 
God  in  our  hearts,  and  how  important  is  not  the 
question:  What  must  we  do  to  preserve  this  king- 
dom within  us  ?  How  shall  we  remain  faithful  to  the 
standard  of  Christ?    I  answer,  and  say: 

The  very  promises  7nade  by  the  Saviotir  to  Peter,  the 
rock  upon  which  He  would  build  His  Churchy  are  those 
which,  applied  to  ourselves,  are  the  guarantees  of  our 
perseverance, 

0  Mary,  Protectress  of  the  Church,  thou  valiant 
woman,  who  stoods't  beneath  the  cross  with  bleeding 
heart,   yet    crushing   down   thy  grief,    obtain  for  us 

•  strength  and  fidelity  to  combat  and  conquer  as  vic- 
torious soldiers  of  thy  Son! 

1  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the  greater 
honor  and  glory  of  God! 


**  Thou  art  Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build 
My  Church,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 


THIRD    SERMON.  515 

against  her."  Such  was  the  glorious  assurance  which 
the  Saviour  gave  to  St.  Peter,  when  the  latter,  in  the 
name  of  all  the  Apostles,  made  that  sublime  confes- 
sion of  faith  in  Him  as  Christ,  the  Son  of  God  made 
man.  And  again :  ''  Peter,  I  have  prayed  for  thee,  that 
thy  faith  fail  not,  and  thou,  being  once  converted,  con- 
firm thy  brethren." 

From  these  promises  we  learn  the  first  and  princi- 
pal condition  upon  which  depends  the  firm  establish- 
ment of  the  kingdom  of  God  in  our  hearts,  and  that 
is,  faith.  Because  it  is  faith  which  so  gloriously  illu- 
mines our  path  to  eternity  that,  with  its  brilliant  light 
flashing  into  the  inmost  recesses  of  our  soul,  we  can 
not  fail  to  realize  the  importance  of  the  great  affair  of 
our  salvation. 

How  could  it  be  otherwise  than  that  faith,  with  all 
its  promises,  should  inspire  us  to  valiantly  combat 
temptation,  walk  firmly  in  the  pathway  of  right,  and 
obtain  that  eternal  reward  ? 

It  is  faith  which  teaches  us,  not  only  to  avoid  the  bad, 
but  to  perform  the  good ;  urges  us  on  in  our  striving 
after  perfection,  and  enables  us  to  reach  the  goal  at  last. 

Faith  warns  us -against  the  many  dangers  which  con- 
stantly threaten  the  Christian ;  and  opens  our  spiritual 
hearing  to  the  terrible  warnings  which  are  sent  us  in 
mercy  and  love — warnings  of  the  punishments  which 
will  come  upon  us  if  we  prove  false  to  our  God. 

It  is  faith  which  whispers  so  sweetly  of  that  heaven 
which  may  be  ours,  the  glories  and  joys  of  which  the 
heart  of  man  hath  not  conceived. 


5l6       FEAST  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL. 

Faith  teaches  us,  also,  that  God  was  pleased  to  cre- 
ate rational  beings;  to  endow  them  with  free  will;  to 
place  them  on  earth  in  a  state  of  probation  and  trial, 
and  that  all  those  who  emerge  victoriously  from  the 
ordeal  will,  through  His  beatific  vision,  and  an  essen- 
tial union  with  Him,  become  forever  blessed,  a7td  be 
even  like  unto  Him. 

But  faith  also  points  out  the  dangers  of  salvation. 
It  teaches  that  many  of  the  human  race  have  failed  to 
stand  the  test  of  freedom;  that,  even  of  the  bright  an- 
gelic host,  a  third  part  succumbed  to  the  violence  of 
their  evil  desires,  and  were  hurled  into  the  abyss  of 
fire  enkindled  by  the  breath  of  an  angry  God. 

Then  was  inaugurated  the  conflict  between  the  king- 
dom of  God  and  the  dominion  of  Satan ;  between  the 
kingdom  of  virtue  and  the  kingdom  of  evil.  Then 
stood  arrayed  against  each  other  the  kingdom  of  light 
and  the  powers  of  darkness  in  a  contest  which  will 
end  but  with  time. 

Then  our  first  parents,  forgetful  of  that  God  Who 
had  placed  them  in  a  terrestrial  paradise — a  garden  of 
delights — listened  to  the  tempter  who,  envying  their 
happiness,  sought  to  drag  them  to  perdition,  and  urged 
them  to  rebel  against  their  Maker.  It  was  fitting,  In- 
deed, and  most  worthy  of  the  Divine  Goodness,  that 
the  Redemption  of  man  was  effected ;  but.  In  regard 
to  his  individual  temptations  he  should  combat,  be 
faithful  to  God  and  His  kingdom,  and  ''bear  it  away." 

Well  is  It  for  that  Christian  who  never  loses  sight 
of  faith  amid  the  cares  and  turmoil  of  the  world, — 


THIRD    SERMON.  5^7 

\vho,  illuminated  by  its  light,  thinks  often  upon  its 
promises,  its  warnings,  its  threatenings,  in  their 
whole  eternal  greatness, — combats  valiantly  against 
temptation,  and  is  firmly  determined,  not  only  not  to 
risk  his  salvation  by  sinning  mortally,  but  to  aspire 
even  after  perfection,  and  to  continually  increase  his 
merits  for  heaven. 

Faith  points,  moreover,  to  those  means  which  the 
bounty  of  a  loving  Saviour  has  placed  within  our 
reach  that  we  may  serve  Him  with  unswerving 
fidelity.  Then,  O  child  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church  ! 
cling  firmly  to  the  rock  upon  which  that  Church  is 
built;  for  there,  indeed,  the  light  of  faith  shines  with 
such  splendor  that,  when  hidden  foes  would  assault 
the  soul,  we  are  warned  at  once.  Live  in  that  light, 
and  the  kingdom  of  God  will  forever  remain  firm  in 
your  heart. 

Christ,  secondly,  promised  to  St.  Peter  the  keys  of 
the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  and,  through  the  prince  of 
ihe  Apostles,  our  Lord  makes  similar  promises  to  us. 
What,  then,  for  us,  beloved  in  Christ,  are  those  keys 
which  possess  such  wonderful  power?  I  answer: 
Those  prayers  which  we  offer  up  in  the  most  holy 
name  of  Jesus.  ''Whatsoever  you  ask  the  Father  in 
My  name,  He  will  give  unto  you,"  so  Jesus  Himself 
assures  us.  How,  then,  can  we  hesitate  to  ask  for 
graces  when,  as  it  were,  we  become  almighty  through 
this  promise? 

St.  Teresa  has  declared  that  she  does  not  fear  for  a 
soul  devoted  to  prayer.    The  prayerful  soul  possesses, 


5l8  FEAST    OF    ST.    PETER    AND    ST.    PAUL. 

through  that  very  love  of  prayer,  the  key  to  heaven, 
thus  being  able  to  procure  always  new  graces  for  her 
sanctificatlon.  It  was  prayer  which  transformed  so 
many  holy  souls  into  saints  of  God.  St.  Augustine 
justly  says:  *' He  that  prays  rightly,  lives  rightly;" 
consequently,  those  who  pray  like  the  saints  will  live 
like  them. 

Yes,  beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  whoever  prays  "in 
spirit  and  in  truth,"  and  according  to  the  divine  admo- 
nition, prays  always, — that  is,  keeps  himself  ever  in 
the  presence  of  God, — will,  according  to  the  promise 
made  to  Abraham  the  father  of  the  faithful,  become 
perfect.  *' Walk  before  Me,  and  you  will  become  per- 
fect," said  the  Lord. 

"  Feed  My  sheep."  The  pasture  to  which  the 
Spiritual  Shepherd  leads  His  flock  are  those  green 
and  pleasant  meadows  of  revealed  truth  watered  by 
limpid  streams  and  sparkling  founta;ins  of  grace. 

But  another  pasture  is  also  contained  in  the  divine 
admonition,  namely,  the  manner  and  form  in  which 
the  Church  celebrates  her  feasts  throughout  the  ec- 
clesiastical year  ;  her  maternal  heart  thus  reminding 
us  of  our  calling  as  children  of  God,  and  of  all  He  has 
done  for  our  salvation.  To  this  spiritual  pasture  be- 
longs, also,  the  hearing  of  the  divine  word,  the  many 
attractive  devotions  she  cherishes,  and  the  frequent 
reception  of  the  Holy  Sacraments. 

Above  all,  beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  remember 
Him  Who  remains  in  the  little  tabernacle,  often  alone 
and  forgotten,  although  His  delight  is  to  be  with  the 


THIRD    SERMON.  519 

children  of  men.  Make  good  use  of  the  real  presence 
of  Christ  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament — Christ,  Who 
offers  Himself  daily,  yes,  hourly,  on  our  altars,  and 
gives  Himself  a  celestial  banquet  for  our  souls. 

Ah,  yes,  the  presence  of  Christ  among  us  is  indeed 
a  very  pasture  of  delight  and  spiritual  repast !  Visit 
Him  then  often,  and  remember  that  He  is  the  same 
Jesus  Who  once  offered  Himself  for  each  one  of  us 
upon  the  cross,  as  He  now  offers  Himself  for  us  daily 
in  the  Mass,  and  that  not  once,  but  numberless  times. 

Oh,  what  a  treasure  is  Holy  Mass  to  those  whose 
hearts  are  penetrated  with  a  true  and  living  faith  ! 
When  the  Sacred  Host  is  held  on  high  in  the  hands 
of  the  minister  of  God,  we  may  indeed  exclaim  with 
more  than  the  confidence  of  holy  David :  *'  Behold 
herein  the  face  of  Christ  Thy  Son."  But  what  shall  I 
say  of  Holy  Communion  ?  What  strength  do  we  not 
derive  from  a  pasture  which  affords  us  as  food  the 
flesh  and  blood  of  Christ,  Who  deigns  to  mingle  them 
with  ours.  Who  condescends  so  far  as  to  come  with 
body  and  soul,  divinity  and  humanity,  into  our  poor, 
weak  hearts.  "  He  that  eateth  this  bread  will  live  for 
Me — will  live  forever  ;  "  and  again  :  *'  He  that  eateth 
this  bread  abideth  in  Me,  and  I  in  him."  Blessed  as- 
surance from  the  divine  lips  of  Him  Who  will  one  day 
come  to  judge  the  living  and  the  dead  ! 

Yes,  brethren  in  Christ,  that  the  promises  of  Christ 
to  St.  Peter  may  one  day  be  verified  in  us,  and  that 
the  kingdom  of  God  may  take  deep  root  in  our  hearts, 
we  must  entertain  an  absolute  and  unqualified  sub- 


520       FEAST  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL. 

mission  to  the  teaching  of  the  Church  in  matters  of 
faith,  and  to  the  teaching  of  the  Infallible  Head  of  the 
Church,  the  Pope.  We  must  cultivate  a  spirit  of  prayer, 
be  zealous  in  receiving  the  Sacraments.  We  must 
assist  devoutly  at  Mass  as  often  as  we  can,  not  on 
Sundays  only,  but  even  when  the  Church  does  not 
oblige  us  to  go,  and  should  also,  by  visits,  adore  Him 
in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  and  receive  Him  often 
through  Holy  Communion. 

If  it  be  thus  with  you,  beloved  in  Christ,  you  may 
indeed  thank  God  for  enabling  you  to  be  thus  faith- 
ful to  the  graces-  He  gives, — you  may  thank  Him 
from  the  very  depths  of  a  grateful  and  loving  heart ; 
for  His  divine  kingdom  is  firmly  established  within 
you,  and  the  gates  of  hell  can  work  no  ruin  there- 
in.— Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  SCAPULAR. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

**I  am  the  mother  of  knowledge." — Eccl.  xxiv,  24. 

LIFE  is  a  warfare,  and  none  should  be  more  sensi- 
ble of  this  truth  than  the  children  of  that  holy 
and  venerable  Church  whose  character  on  earth  is 
militant.  Well  did  St.  Paul  realize  our  state;  and, 
therefore,  in  his  Second  Epistle  to  Timothy,  he  ad- 
monished this  disciple  that  he  who  striveth  for  the 
mastery  is  not  crowned  except  he  strive  lawfully. 
That  all  the  members  of  our  ancient  faith  do  not 
strive  after  this  manner  is,  alas,  but  too  certain ;  and 
who  can  say,  dearly  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  the 
greater  number  ever  at  all  begin  this  conflict  with  the 
world,  the  flesh  and  devil?  And  yet,  as  salvation  for 
a  long  and  endless  eternity  depends  upon  this  com- 
bat and  this  victory,  each  zealous  child  of  the  Church 
should  avail  himself  of  every  means  within  his  reach 
to  render  the  issue  as  certain  as  possible ;  for  what  is 
more  just  than  that  a  combatant  choose  the  keenest 
weapons  for  the  fray,  and  protect  himself  with  the 
strongest  armor? 

A  child  of  the  Church  should,  therefore,  obey  the 

loving  call   of  that   tender  mother  when    she   most 

(521 


522  FEAST    OF  THE    SCAPULAR. 

earnestly  entreats  him  to  fly  for  refuge  to  Mary  the 
Mother  of  God.  That  she  does  so  is  evident  from  the 
fact  that  in  almost  every  instance  the  ''Hail  Mary" 
immediately  follows  the  "Our  Father."  The  very 
words,  which  are  thus  placed  on  our  lips,  manifest 
the  confidence  reposed  by  the  Church  in  the  ever- 
blessed  Virgin.  From  this  powerful  protectress  her 
children  may  expect  assistance  in  all  dangers  of  soul 
and  body,  for  she  teaches  them  to  say:  ''  Holy  Mary, 
Mother  of  God,  pray  for  us  sinners  now  and  at  the 
hour  of  our  death." 

There  are  innumerable  other  prayers  which  she 
says  in  the  name  of  her  children,  and  each  one  indi- 
cates her  confidence  in  the  patronage  of  Mary.  There 
are  also  two  special  devotions  through  which  she  calls 
upon  her  children  to  take  refuge  with  Mary,  namely, 
the  devotion  of  the  Rosary  and  of  the  Scapular. 

It  is  the  latter  which  to-day  claims  our  attention,  and 
I  say  to  you:  Children  of  Mary,  be  invested  with  the 
Scapular  of  Mount  Carmel,  and,  moreover,  wear  it  in 
the  spirit  of  God ;  wear  it  as  becomes  worthy  children 
of  her  who  calls  herself:  **The  Mother  of  knowl- 
edge." 

How  does  she  deserve  this  title  ?  I  shall  to-day  en- 
deavor to  establish  her  claims.- 

O  Mary,  Protectress  of  the  Church  of  God  and  her 
children,  above  all  strengthen  in  our  hearts  the  virtue 
of  holy  faith,  that  it  may  be  and  remain  for  us  all  a 
shield  in  that  combat  which  will  only  end  at  death ! 


FIRST    SERMON.  523 

I  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God. 


''The  just  man  lives  by  faith,"  as  St.  Paul  assures 
us.  How  important,  therefore,  must  it  be  to  let  this 
virtue  take  deep  root  in  our  hearts,  that  it  may  have 
a  vigorous  growth  and  bear  abundant  fruit;  how  anx- 
ious ought  we  to  be  that  these  fruits  obtain  their  full 
maturity  for  the  nourishment  and  refreshment  of  our 
souls. 

The  same  Apostle  also  calls  faith  a  shield.  The 
life  of  the  just  man  upon  earth  is,  as  we  have  already 
heard,  a  combat,  and  only  he  who  lawfully  strives 
will  receive  the  crown  of  victory.  As  proof  of  this 
read  the  eleventh  chapter  of  St.  Paul's  Epistle  to  the 
Hebrews.  Beginning  with  Abel  the  just,  he  points  to 
the  combat  and  victory  of  the  patriarchs  and  all  the 
just  of  the  preceding  ages,  to  Gedeon,  Sampson, 
Jephte,  David,  Samuel,  and  the  prophets,  and  con- 
cludes with  the  words  :  ''  Who  by  faith  subdued  king- 
doms, wrought  justice,  obtained  promises,  stopped 
the  mouths  of  lions,  quenched  the  violence  of  fire, 

put  to  flight  the  armies  of  foreigners 

They  were  stoned,  they  were  cut  asunder,  they  were 
tempted.  .  .  .  And  all  these  being  approved  by  the 
testimony  of  faith.   .  .  .   ." 

The  same  and  much  more  St.  Paul  could  have  as- 
serted of  the  faithful  under  the  New  Law.  What  should 

we  learn  from  this?    That,  as  the  same  Apostle  ex- 
34 


524  FEAST   OF    THE    SCAPULAR. 

horts  US,  following  ''this  cloud  of  witnesses,"  we 
should  run  to  the  fight  proposed  unto  us,  "looking  on 
Jesus,  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  faith,''  which  must 
illumine  and  strengthen  the  valiant  contenders  for 
the  kingdom  of  God.  To  combat  victoriously  it  is 
necessary  to  have  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  bat- 
tle-field, to  know  beforehand  the  number  of  the  op- 
posing forces,  and  to  be  acquainted  with  the  manner 
of  their  attack.  All  this  we  see  by  the  light  of 
faith. 

St.  Paul  says:  *'  Looking  on  Jesus,  the  Author  and 
Finisher  of  faith;"  I  say  to-day:  Looking  at  Mary, 
upon  whom  Christ  Himself  bestows  the  epithet 
''blessed"  on  account  of  her  faith.  And  why?  I 
answer :  Because  Mary,  as  Mother  of  the  Author  of 
our  holy  faith,  with  all  its  truths,  gifts,  advantages, 
and  promises,  is  intimately  and  inseparably  united 
with  Him. 

St.  Paul  calls  faith,  first,  a  shield  in  the  conflict 
against  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil.  In  olden 
times,  the  shield  covered  the  warriors  from  head  to 
foot.  When  will  faith  be  to  us  such  a  protection  in 
the  combat  for  our  salvation?  When  we  not  only 
confess  the  faith  with  our  lips  and  in  some  of  our  ac- 
tions, but  are  thoroughly  instructed  in  matters  of  faith 
and  able  to  furnish  a  correct  explanation  of  what  we 
believe.  What  a  reliable  shield  in  the  conflict  against 
temptation  will  our  faith  be  to  us  if  it  be  as  firm  and 
unhesitating  as  Mary's ! 

"  Blessed  art  thou  who  hast  believed."    These  were 


FIRST   SERMON.  525 

the  words  which  the  holy  and  venerable  Elizabeth 
addressed  to  the  young  and  tender  Virgin,  and  in 
the  same  manner  the  entire  Church  calls  out  to  her, 
saluting  her  as  the  seat  of  divine  wisdom,  as  the 
tower  of  David,  as  the  one  who  put  to  flight  all  here- 
sis  and  enemies  of  holy  faith. 

The  whole  life  of  the  blessed  Mother  is  a  resplend- 
ent picture  of  active  faith.  All  that  she  is  before  God 
and  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  she  is  simply  and  only  in 
virtue  of  the  truths,  the  gifts,  the  means,  and  promises 
of  holy  faith. 

How  important  is  it,  therefore,  that  we,  in  the  con- 
flict against  temptations,  look  on  her,  and  think  of 
what  holy  faith  teaches  us  in  regard  to  our  existence, 
our  eternal  destiny,  our  Redemption  through  Christ, 
and  our  call  to  the  Church !  How  essential  is  it  that 
we  reflect  upon  and  make  use  of  the  means  of  salva- 
tion, which  she  distributes  to  us,  and  obey  the  call  to 
dwell  forever  in ,  the  kingdom  of  the  blessed,  with 
which,  through  the  grace  of  God,  we  have  been 
favored. 

Give  me  a  Christian  who  is  so  entirely  penetrated 
with  the  spirit  of  faith,  that  his  thoughts  run  constantly 
thus: 

'^  I  am  an  image  of  God ;  my  destination  is  not  this 
world,  but  eternity.  I  have  no  other  problem  to  solve 
than  the  fulfillment  of  the  holy  will  of  God ;  and  all 
that  I  do  in  this  regard  is  meritorious  for  eternal  life, 
for  heaven,  where,  in  communion  with  the  angels  and 


526  FEAST    OF    THE    SCAPULAR. 

saints,  united  with  God,  I  shall  be  and  abide  eter- 
nally." 

All  the  ^  privileges  which  holy  faith  secures  for  us 
shine  with  most  wonderful  brightness  over  our  path- 
way through  life  if  we  look  upon  Mary.  She  also  was 
a  child  of  man.  God  called  her  into  existence  that  she 
might  one  day  become  His  Mother,  Queen  of  heaven 
and  earth.  Therefore,  she  entered  the  world  pure, 
Jioly,  immaculate ;  her  precious  soul  unstained  by  the 
slightest  breath  of  sin ;  and  she  lived  only  to  fulfill  the 
holy  will  of  God. 

''I  am  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it  done  unto 
me  according  to  Thy  word."  In  this  disposition  Mary 
lived  and  suffered,  and  now,  resplendent  in  glory,  her 
place  in  heaven  is  by  the  side  of  Christ.  If  we  glance 
at  Mary,  the  Queen  of  Apostles,  the  Mother  who 
heard  the  word  of  revelation  from  the  lips  of  the 
Word  incarnate,  during  nearly  thirty  years  she  spent 
in  solitude  at  Nazareth,  what  a  motive  we  find  for 
appreciating  the  benefits  of  faith  and  deeming  it 
a  priceless  blessing,  which  should  call  forth  our  ar- 
dent gratitude !  Without  any  merit  of  our  own^  we 
have  been  made  children  of  the  holy,  the  infallible 
Church,  a  happiness  which  millions,  both  before  and 
after  Christ,  have  not  enjoyed,  and  which  will  be  un- 
known to  millions  in  time  to  come. 

But  merely  to  be  penetrated  with  a  high  apprecia- 
tion of  the  truths  of  faith  will  not  avail ;  we  must  live 
in  accordance  with  its  precepts.  To  prevent  this  con- 
formity, and  to  induce  us   to  transgress   the  law  of 


FIRST    SERMON.  527 

God,  is  the  constant  aim  of  Satan.  But  let  us  look 
upon  Mary,  and  we  will  have  a  most  powerful  motive 
to  crush  the  serpent's  head  in  the  first  moment  of 
temptation,  that  we  may  not  afflict  the  heart  of  the 
stainless  Virgin  and  Mother,  by  yielding  to  sin.  And 
oh,  what  shame  will  overwhelm  that  evil  spirit !  He 
will  retire  in  dismay  if  we,  in  the  moment  of  tempta- 
tion, call  upon  that  sure  refuge,  the  invoking  Mother. 

But  if  Satan  does  not  succeed  in  making  us  plunge 
into  mortal  sin,  he  puts  forth  every  effort  of  his  dia- 
iDolical  art  to  weaken  the  kingdom  of  God  in  our 
souls,  that,  leading  a.  lukewarm  and  indifferent  life, 
we  may  not  strive  after  perfection,  as  every^  soul  re- 
deemed by  Christ  should  do. 

To  enkindle  our  fervor  and  to  avoid  the  danger  of 
a  tepid  life,  the  most  efficacious  means  is  a  glance  at 
Mary,  the  mirror  of  justice.  What  an  incentive  to 
zeal  is  the  example  of  her  humility,  devotion,  self- 
denial,  and  fraternal  charity! 

How  inviting  and  amiable  the  exercise  of  these,  as 
of  all  the  other  virtues,  appears  in  this  most  admirable 
Virgin ! 

If  we  serve  God  in  this  manner,  beloved  in  Christ, 
we  may  be  well  assured  that  hell,  with  all  its  powers, 
will  be  arrayed  against  us ;  our  faith  may  be  exposed 
to  many  most  severe  and  painful  trials ;  God  Him- 
self will,  perhaps,  visit  us  with  afflictions  the  most  try- 
ing. In  every  case  let  us  look  at  Mary  beneath  the 
Cross,  and  sorrow  will  turn  to  the  sweetest  joy;  a 
radiant  light  will  shine  upon  our  earthly  griefs,  for  we 


528  FEAST    OF   THE    SCAPULAR. 

will  bear  them  for  Christ's  dear  sake.  The  thought, 
that  through  sorrow  Jesus  entered  into  His  joy,  that 
through  sufferings  Mary  and  the  blessed  saints  attained 
eternal  bliss,  will  strengthen  us,  give  us  courage  to 
fight,  and  render  us  invincible  to  the  foe. 

A  true  devotion  to  Mary  will  furnish  us  with  a 
shield,  most  efficacious  for  our  protection  in  the  spir- 
itual combat,  which  is  her  perfect  readiness,  if  we 
have  sinned,  to  assist  us  in  obtaining  forgiveness 
from  God,  and  in  once  more  being  reconciled  to  Him. 
She  is  surely  the  Mother  of  mercy  and  the  refuge  of 
sinners,  who  assists  us  and  prays  for  us,  that  we 
may  not  remain  enemies  to  her  Son,  Whom  she  loves 
so  well. 

At  the  same  time  her  hidden  life  with  Christ  in 
Nazareth,  is  a  figure  of  the  intimacy  which  we,  chil- 
dren of  the  Holy  Church,  enjoy  with  Christ,  the 
Conqueror  of  death  and  hell.  Who  abides  with  us 
in  the  most  holy  Sacrament,  offers  Himself  for  us, 
and  even  enters  into  our  hearts.  Oh,  let  us  frequently 
avail  ourselves  of  this  happiness,  and  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  we  may  derive  from  it  that  benefit  which 
Mary  gained  from  the  presence  of  Jesus  at  Nazareth. 

Is  our  faith  a  perfect,  an  enlightened,  a  living  one? 
Then  will  it  provide  us  also  with  those  other  weapons 
to  gain  the  victory,  of  which  St.  Paul  speaks:  ''the 
girdle  of  truth" — faith  teaches  us  with  infallible  cer- 
tainty— ''the  breastplate  of  justice,"  "your  feet  shod 
with  the  preparation  of  the  gospel  of  peace,"  "and 
take  unto  you  the  helmet  of  salvation,  the  sword  of 


FIRST    SERMON.  529 

the  Spirit"  These  weapons,  beloved  in  Christ,  will 
enable  you  to  conquer,  even  if  all  the  powers  of  hell 
be  arrayed  against  you.  Believe  with  a  living  faith, 
make  good  use  of  those  unerring  weapons,  for  never, 
never,  will  the  Christian  who  clings  to  them  be  lost. 

And  when  you  look  upon  the  Scapular,  which  you 
wear  in  honor  of  Mary,  pray  to  that  blessed  Mother, 
that  she  may  obtain  for  you  the  perfect  plenitude 
and  power  of  faith,  that  you  may  be  firmly  grounded 
in  all  its  truths,  and  live  in  the  observance  of  Its  holy 
precepts.  Thus  may  faith,  with  its  warnings,  require- 
ments, and  promises,  illumine  your  pathway  through 
life,  and  may  you  give  glorious  testimony  thereto  by 
the  possession  of  a  heart  free  from  sin,  and  richly  en- 
dowed with  virtue. 

May  the  arrows  of  temptation  fall  powerless  against 
this  Scapular  of  faith,  and  drop  as  from  an  impen- 
etrable shield,  harmless,  to  the  ground.  And,  above 
all,  may  you  set  out  upon  that  awful  journey  to  the 
other  world,  under  the  protection  of  the  ever-blessed 
Mother  of  God,  as  a  soul  saved  by  her  example  and 
intercession,  in  the  power  of  faith  vivified  by  love 
and  animated  by  hope. — Amen. 


530  FEAST  OF  THE   SCAPULAR. 

SECOND  SERMON. 

"I  am  the  mother  of  holy  hope." — Eccl.  xxiv,  24. 

THAT  which  Is  particularly  necessary  to  the  war- 
rior Is  courage  ;  for  a  coward  fights  not,  but  Ig- 
nomlniously  takes  to  flight,  and  is  entirely  overcome. 

Now,  what  augments  and  enlivens  the  courage  of 
a  warrior  is,  first,  the  possession  of  suitable  weapons ; 
and,  secondly,  what  is  of  greater  Importance,  the  pro- 
tection which  he  has  reason  to  expect  from  the  brave 
and  experienced  warriors  engaged  with  him  in  the 
combat. 

And  this,  beloved  in  Christ,  Is  precisely  what  we 
.  children  of  the  Church  militant  need  to  combat  vic- 
toriously for  God  and  the  salvation  of  our  immortal 
souls  :  unerring  weapons  and  powerful  protection.  We 
also  need  courage ;  and  this  courage  is  supported  and 
strengthened  in  us  by  the  influence  of  holy  hope.  But 
that  this  hope  may  prove  efficacious,  and  protect  us 
like  a  shield  In  the  batde,  we  must  hasten  to  Mary, 
,  who  calls  herself  the  Mother  of  holy  hope.  And  in 
truth  she  proves  herself  such  to  her  faithful  children. 

The  Church  salutes  Mary  as  "  Star  of  the  Sea;  "  for 
as,  amid  the  threatenings  of  a  storm  upon  the  mighty 
deep,  the  sight  of  a  star  animates  the  courage  of  the 
navigators,  quiets  their  fears,  and  revives  their  hopes 
to  soon  reach  in  safety  the  longed-for  haven : 

So  the  thought  of  Mary  acts  upon  us  children  of 


SECOND    SERMON.  53  I 

the  Church,  saiHng  through  the  storms  of  Hfe,  and 
steering  towards  the  harbor  of  eternal  bHss. 

Mary,  the  Mother  of  holy  hope,  the  star  which  glit- 
ters so  brightly  amid  the  clouds  of  life,  the  star  which 
slmies  to  illuini^ie  our  path  to  heaven,  will  be  the  sub- 
ject of  my  theme  to-day. 

0  Mary,  kind  Mother,  to  thy  protection  we  fly !  In- 
vested with  the  holy  Scapular,  by  which  we  proclaim 
ourselves  to  be  thy  children,  we  invoke  thy  aid.  Show 
thyself  a  Mother,  and  from  eternal  death  save  all  who 
come  to  thee ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God. 


''We  were  saved  by  hope,"  so  says  St.  Paul;  and 
this  assurance  at  least  makes  known  to  us  how  impor- 
tant it  is  to  strengthen  in  ourselves  this  divine  virtue 
if  we  wish  strenuously  to  battle  against  the  enemies 
of  our  souls'  salvation.  And  the  reason  why  St.  Paul 
speaks  with  such  high  commendation  of  Christian  hope 
is  perfecdy  clear  to  every  one  who  reflects  upon  the 
influence  of  this  virtue  upon  our  lives  as  children  of 
God.  For  all  salvation  is  referred  to  Christ,  through 
Whom  alone  we  are  saved.  Hence,  for  those  souls 
who  waited  during  four  thousand  years  for  the  com- 
ing Redeemer,  hope  became  the  anchor  which  saved 
them  from  the  shipwreck  of  sin. 

Our  hope,  too,  after  His  coming,  is  in  Christ.  It  is 
the  anchor  on  which  the  bark  of  the  Church  depends 


532  FEAST   OF   THE    SCAPULAR. 

for  safety  amid  the  tempest  of  persecution  ;  it  is  a  mo- 
tive power  which  every  child  of  the  Church  must  feed 
to  give  his  faith  an  outward  expression  and  to  bear  up 
against  the  tribulations  of  life. 

Hope  gives  light,  strength,  and  perseverance  even 
in  earthly  affairs.  It  is  indispensable  for  success  in 
life.  It  is  especially  necessary  for  the  soldier  on  the 
batde-field  when  about  to  face  a  deadly  foe.  But,  above 
all,  in  that  terrible  struggle  in  which  we,  as  children 
of  the  militant  Church,  must  engage  from  the  cradle 
to  the  grave,  holy  hope  inspires  with  indomitable  en- 
ergy and  irresistible  courage, — and  this  for  three  rea- 
sons : 

First,  because  the  benefits  which  this  divine  virtue 
places  before  our  eyes  as  the  pledge  of  victory  are  so 
indescribably  great  and  glorious. 

Secondly,  because.it  reminds  us  that  the  weapons 
which  faith  offers  us,  if  earnestly  used,  procure  for  us 
a  certain  victory. 

Thirdly,  because  it  recalls  to  our  minds  God's  prom. 
ise  oi  victory  if  we  combat  valiantly,  and  His  solemn 
assurance  of  unfailing  protection. 

Listen  to  the  promise  of  the  Lord  :  ''  Because  he 
has  confided  in  Me,  I  will  deliver  him  and  glorify  him 
illustriously."  Thus  He  speaks  by  the  mouth  of  the 
Psalmist:  *' Look  about  you  and  see  if  there  be  one 
on  earth  who  put  his  trust  in  God  and  was  deluded 
or  forsaken."  Thus  the  inspired  wise  man  challenged 
God's  people.  And  David  gave  vent  to  his  unbounded 
confidence  in  God  thus:  *' I  have  hoped  in  Thee,  O 


SECOND    SERMON.  533 

Lord  ;  I  will  never  be  confounded  !  "  As  this  virtue, 
therefore,  is  of  such  importance,  should  we  not  exert 
every  means  to  confirm  ourselves  therein  ? 

Now,  there  is  no  means  more  effective  than  to  has- 
ten to  Mary,  whom  the  Church  calls  the  Mother  of 
holy  hope,  and  unto  whose  care  Christ,  from  the  tree 
of  the  cross,  committed  the  whole  human  race  as  her 
children,  with  the  power  and  privilege  to  petition  Him 
for  their  salvation,  and  to  assist  them  in  every  neces- 
sity, spiritual  and  corporal.  And  with  what  readiness 
do  we  ever  behold  Mary  fulfilling  this  maternal  duty! 

Let  us,  then,  confide  in  her,  the  pledge  of  our  hope, 
for  we  may  rest  assured  that  whatever  be  the  motives 
which  inspire  our  hearts  with  confidence  in  friends  who 
have,  besides  the  power,  also  the  wish  and  the  deter- 
mination to  h^lp  us,  we  have  more  cause  to  salute 
Mary  as  our  hope,  and  take  refuge  with  her. 

The  first  reason  which  encourages  us  to  take  refuge 
with  a  friend  and  entreat  him  to  aid  us  is  the  convic- 
tion that  he  has  the  power  to  do  it.  What  a  motive 
to  place  unlimited  confidence  in  Mary !  Jesus,  Who  is 
almighty,  is  her  Son,  and,  as  a  devoted  Son,  He  wishes 
to  honor  His  Mother  and  to  give  her  joy.  To  Him  had 
been  given  ''  all  power  In  heaven  and  on  earth,'*  and  He 
has  communicated  it  to  His  Mother.  To  gratify  her  He 
performed  the  first  miracle  at  Cana,  In  the  presence  of 
His  disciples ;  and  if  Mary  to-day  asks  Him  in  heaven, 
is  there  any  favor  He  will  not  grant  ? 

Jesus,  the  Author  of  grace,  has  appointed  Mary  to 
be  the  dispenser  of  grace.  St.  Gertrude  once  had  a  vis- 


534  FEAST   OF   THE    SCAPULAR. 

ion  In  which  she  beheld  the  throne  of  Jesus  in  heaven, 
and  the  throne  of  Mary,  the  heart  of  Jesus  and  the 
heart  of  Mary.  She  saw,  besides,  a  stream  flowing 
from  the  heart  of  Jesus  into  the  heart  of  Mary,  and 
from  thence  back*  into  the  heart  of  Jesus,  and  again 
into  the  heart  of  Mary,  and  from  thence  through 
heaven  to  earth,  and  into  purgatory. 

Beloved  in  Christ,  what  are  we  to  understand  from 
this  consoling  vision  ?  I  answer  :  Jesus  merits — Mary 
dispenses.  The  father  of  the  house  earns,  the  mother 
distributes.  Thus  the  order  of  grace  is  reflected  in  the 
order  of  nature,  and  the  two  are  in  perfect  accord. 

Moreover,  Mary  is  the  Queen  of  Angels,  the  Queen 
of  Saints.  At  Mary's  behest  all  these  ministering  spir- 
its are  ready  every  moment  to  assist  us.- 

The  second  motive  which  inspires  us  with  confidence 
to  ask  for  assistance,  is  a  conviction  that  the  one  to 
whom  we  apply  knows  our  wants,  and  being,  perhaps, 
father,  mother,  brother,  or  friend,  has  the  will  to  aid 
us.  What  a  motive  for  us  children  of  God  to  put  our 
trust  in  Mary!  She  knows  our  wants,  she  Is  united 
to  God,  sees  all  In  Him,  and  is  the  seat  of  divine  wis- 
dom. She  will  help  us,  because  she  is  indeed  all 
mercy,  and  loves  us  more  tenderly  than  an  earthly 
mother  can  ever  love  her  child  ;  for  she  perceives, 
with  vision  bright  and  clear,  the  value  of  the  souls  for 
whom  Christ  shed  every  drop  of  His  blood. 

Since,  then,  the  Lord  bestowed  upon  her  so  tender, 
kind,  and  merciful  a  heart,  is  It  not  most  fitting  that 
she,  the  Mother  of  the  Redeemer,  should  aid  these 


SECOND    SERMON.  535 

souls  to  gain  eternal  life  ?  Besides,  she  gave  the  prom- 
ise— she,  the  Queen  of  Apostles,  promised  her  dying 
Son  upon  the  cross  to  be  our  Mother,  and  to  do  all 
in  her  power  to  guide  those  souls  who  would  fly  to 
her  protection,  through  the  storms  of  life  to  a  haven 
of  rest. 

The  third  motive  which  increases  our  confidence  in 
asking  assistance,  is  the  assurance  that  the  one  to 
whom  we  apply  has  actually  helped  many  others.  Now, 
what  is  the  testimony  of  experience  on  this  point? 
We  need  only  glance  at  the  many  shrines  dedicated 
to  Mary,  where  an  innumerable  multitude  of  her  de- 
voted children  flock ;  where  miraculous  cures  are  of 
constant  occurrence  ;  where,  from  the  rising  of  the 
sun  to  the  going  down  of  the  same,  Mary  assists  her 
faithful  clients. 

And  indeed,  my  dear  Christians,  we  need  only  say 
the  well-known  prayer  of  St.  Bernard  to  be  strength- 
ened in  our  confidence.  **The  ear  hath  never  heard,'* 
this  great  saint  and  servant  of  Mary  assures  us  almost 
one  thousand  years  ago — "  The  ear  hath  never  heard 
that  he  who  ran  to  her  for  refuge  was  forsaken  of 
God." 

This  bold  assertion  is  confirmed  by  the  experience 
of  every  devout  child  of  Mary.  Whosoever  in  his  mis- 
ery sought  refuge  in  her  maternal  love,  full  of  confi- 
dence in  her  power  and  goodness,  has  experienced 
her  protection.  She  loves  to  aid  us — the  more  as  she 
knows  how  earnestly  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  desires 
us  to  have  recourse  to  her,  especially  in  our  spiritual 


53^  FEAST   OF   THE    SCAPULAR. 

wants  and  all  that  tends  to  nourish  divine  love  in  our 
souls. 

"  Mother  of  mercy,  Refuge  of  sinners."  Thus  does 
the  Church  salute  Mary.  And,  by  means  of  the  Hail 
Mary,  she  repeats  over  and  again  through  the  lips  of 
her  members,  ''  Pray  for  us  poor  sinners."  And  thus, 
from  the  little  child  whose  lips  can  scarce  form  the 
words,  to  the  venerable  Pontiff  who  rules  the  destinies 
of  the  Church,  all  Christendom  is  calling,  "  Pray  for 
us  sinners  !  " 

I  have,  however,  one  caution  to  add :  Satan,  who 
deems  nothing  too  holy  or  sacred  to  be  abused,  makes 
use  even  of  this  confidence  in  Mary  to  work  our  ruin 
and  destruction.  There  are  souls  who  remain  willfully 
in  the  state  of  sin,  and  suppose  that  if  they  only  put 
their  trust  in  Mary,  and  daily  say  some  prayers  in  her 
honor,  they  have  done  all  that  is  necessary  to  secure 
their  salvation.  This  is  particularly  the  case  in  regard 
to  the  Scapular.  Many  think  that  if  even  they  live  in 
mortal  sin,  provided  they  are  only  faithful  in  wearing 
the  Scapular,  Mary  will  never  permit  them  to  die  in 
that  state.  This,  however,  is  injustice.  It  is  supersti- 
tion. By  that  presumptuous  thought  such  men  sin 
grievously.  What !  to  expect  Mary  to  protect,  and 
permit  them  to  lead  abandoned  lives,  and  at  the  same 
time  favor  them  with  her  maternal  care  !  This  would 
make  of  Mary  not  only  a  refuge  of  sinners,  but  their  ac- 
complice. God  will  punish  them  for  this,  and  they  will 
not  even  have  the  grace  to  die  with  the  Scapular  on. 
It  will  be  taken  from  them  in  changing  their  clothes, 


SECOND    SERMON.  537 

as  remarkable  examples  have  shown.  There  are  well 
attested  instances  of  suicides  who  were  found  without 
scapulars,  though  they  were  known  to  have  faithfully 
worn  this  sacred  badge. 

If  the  Scapular  is  to  be  for  us  a  pledge  of  Mary's 
special  protection  during  life  and  at  the  hour  of  death, 
and  even  in  purgatory,  then  it  is  essential  that  we  wear 
it  as  a  remembrance — an  admonition  to  strive,  as  true 
children  of  Mary,  after  perfection,  and  to  follow  her 
example.  When  this  is  the  case — yes,  then  the  Scap- 
ular will  indeed  prove  for  us  a  most  effectual  shield ; 
will  strengthen  our  confidence  in  Mary,  as  Mother  of 
holy  hope,  as  the  consoling  Star  of  our  eternal  salva- 
tion.— Amen ! 


538  FEAST    OF    THE    SCAPULAR. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

*'I  am  the  mother  of  fair  love." — Eccl.  xxiv,  24. 

EVEN  as  the  Church  has  her  marks  by  which  she 
is  known  to  be  the  true  Church  of  Christ,  so  like- 
wise are  found  in  the  Hves  of  her  true  children,  marks 
by  which  they  are  distinguished  from  the  infidel  and 
the  heretic.  These  marks  are  a  reflection  of  the  Church 
herself  in  the  true  Catholic  life.  Among  these  char- 
acteristic attributes  of  the  true  children  of  God  is  one 
which  shines  with  especial  splendor,  and  that  is,  their 
devotion,  their  confidence,  their  love  towards  Mary. 
That  this  trait  is  indeed  characteristic  of  faithful  and 
zealous  Catholics,  is  proved  by  the  very  reproach  and 
ridicule  heaped  upon  them  in  consequence,  by  those 
who  are  not  of  *'the  household  of  the  faith." 

But  this  reproach  becomes  for  us  a  source  of  con- 
solation. The  holy  and  venerable  Simeon  predicted  it 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  in  the  temple  :  "  Through  you, 
the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men  shall  be  made  mani- 
fest." Should  we,  therefore,  shrink  from  a  reproach 
which  will,  if  patiently  borne,  gain  us  such  treasures 
in  heaven  ? 

*'From  henceforth  all  generations  shall  call  me 
blessed,"  so  Mary  herself  assures  us,  with  holy  exul- 
tation in  the  "  Magnificat." 

But,  my  dear  Christians,  as  not  every  prayer,  which 
is  offered  up  to  the  Most  High,  is  genuine  and  fervent, 
as  the  homage  paid  to  God  by  the  lips  is  often  ren- 


THIRD    SERMON.  539 

dered  void  by  a  dissolute  life,  so  the  veneration  which 
is  professed  for  Mary  becomes  suspected  and  value- 
less, because  not  manifested  in  action.  A  person  may 
wear,  in  her  honor,  the  Scapular  upon  a  heart,  which 
crucifies  her  Son  by  mortal  sin,  and,  therefore,  deeply 
wounds  her  loving  heart. 

This  is  not  to  wear  it  as    a  faithful   child   of  the 
''Mother  of  fair  love." 

What  this  attribute  of  Mary,  as  Mother  of  fair  love 
requires  of  her  clients^  that  they  may  wear  her  dress 
meritoriotcsly y  as  a  pledge  of  salvation,  I  shall  explain 
to-day. 

0  Mary,  replenish  our  hearts  with  the  fire  of  that 
love  which  burns  in  your  tender  heart ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God  ! 


As  I  said  before,  there  is  a  prayer  which  mounts 
straight  to  the  throne  of  the  living  God,  and  a  prayer, 
which,  coming  only  from  the  lips,  and  contradicted  by 
dissoluteness  of  conduct,  merits  for  him  who  pronounces 
it  the  reproach:  ''  His  prayer  shall  be  turned  to  sin." 
So  there  is  also  a  true  veneration  of  Mary,  and  one 
which  is  only  apparent. 

The  first  is  manifested  by  him,  who,  by  his  life 
shows  that  he  is  really  in  earnest  to  please  Mary  ,*  the 
second  appears  in  the  lukewarm,  presumptuous  Chris- 
tian, who  makes  his  exterior  veneration  of  Mary  a  pre- 
text for  living  with  the  greater  wantonness  in  a  con- 


35 


540  FEAST    OF    THE    SCAPULAR. 

tinual  state  of  sin,  foolishly  imagining  that  Mary  will 
not  forsake  him,  since  he  honors  her  occasionally  with 
his  lips. 

And  what  is,  indeed,  the  principal  reason  that  our 
lives  contradict  the  exterior  and  apparent  devotion  to 
Mary?  The  answer  is  suggested  by  my  text :  ''  I  am 
the  Mother  of  fair  love."  Yes,  hence  arises  the  con- 
tradiction. The  heart,  whose  every  throb  is  but  a  feel- 
ing of  sin  as  it  beats  beneath*  the  Scapular,  is  not  filled 
with  the  beautiful,  'holy,  and  sanctifying  love  of  Mary, 
but  with  the  wicked,  sinful,  and  disorderly  love  of 
creatures.  Their  enjoyment  and  possession  is  pre- 
ferred by  the  sinner  before  God  and  his  beatitudes. 
The  sinner  has  no  right  to  declare  :  ''  O  my  God,  I 
love  Thee  with  my  whole  heart,  with  my  whole  soul, 
with  my  whole  mind,  and  with  all  my  strength!" 

Mary  had  every  right  to  repeat  this  prayer,  for  she 
is  the  Mother  of  fair  love.  This  expression,  "  Mother 
of  fair  love,"  tells  us  at  the  same  time  that  not  only 
Mary  loved  God  in  this  manner,  but  that  veneration 
to  her,  to  be  true,  must  at  the  same  time  fill  our  hearts 
with  similar  dispositions  of  love ;  must  produce  and 
prove  within  us  this  true  and  beautiful  love  of  God. 
To  understand  this  better,  let  us  consider  separately 
the  different  kinds  of  love  which  burn  in  the  heart  of 
Mary. 

The  first  is  the  most  perfect  love  to  God  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 

How  far  exalted  is  the  love  of  Mary  towards  God, 
even  above  that  of  the  angels  themselves  !  Now  which 


THIRD    SERMON.  54I 

are  the  principal  sources  of  the  love  of  God?  First, 
the  knowledge  of  His  infinite  perfections ;  and,  sec- 
ondly, the  appreciation  of  His  benefits. 

Now,  then,  Mary  is,  as  Holy  Scripture  testifies,  the 
seat  of  divine  Wisdom  ;  she  is  the  Queen  of  the  Cher- 
ubim, those  angels  that  are  distinguished  for  their 
knowledge  of  God. 

Who  can  imagine,  then,  with  what  unquenchable 
ardor  the  fire  of  Mary's  love  rises  up  to  God  ? 

And  what  thanks  does  not  Mary  owe  to  the  triune 
God !  God  the  Father  chose  her  from  all  eternity  as 
His  daughter ;  God  the  Son  as  His  Mother ;  God  the 
Holy  Ghost  as  His  spouse.  What  prerogatives  are 
contained  in  this  triple  relationship  of  Mary!  Priv- 
ileges by  far  greater  than  any  conferred  upon  the 
Angels  or  Saints,  were  imparted  to  her;  no  one  can,  on 
earth,  even  faintly  realize  their  importance.  We  shall, 
no  doubt,  understand  more  about  them  in  heaven. 
But  St.  Thomas  of  Aquin  does  not  hesitate  to  assert 
that  ihe  excellence  to  which  Mary  was  elevated  by  the 
most  Holy  Trinity,  surpasses,  and  will  ever  exceed 
even  the  understanding  of  die  angels,  on  account  of 
the  mystery  of  the  Incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God. 
The  extent  of  this  mystery,  in  its  fullness,  is  known 
to  God  alone.  And  radiant  in  this  glorious  dignity, 
Mary  appears  in  her  majesty  as  Queen  of  heaven  and 
earth,  so  rich  in  the  possession  of  the  rarest  endow- 
ments of  nature  and  grace,  that  she  may  be  compared 
to  the  ocean,  into  which  all  rivers  flow;  for  it  was  the 
dearest  joy  of  her  divine  Son  to  pour  into  her  immac- 


542  FEAST    OF    THE    SCAPULAR. 

ulate  heart  the  most  royal  gifts.  Oh,  how  Inflamed 
with  love  for  God  was,  and  is,  this  virginal  heart! 

And  in  our  own  regard,  how  can  we  think  of  this 
pre-election  of  Mary,  without  congratulating  our- 
selves upon  having  a  right  to  call  her  our  Mother? 
And  even  if  God  has  not  elected  us  to  such  an  emi- 
nent degree  of  glory  as  He  bestowed  upon  her,  He, 
notwithstanding,  created  us  according  to  His  image, 
and  chose  us,  therefore,  to  enjoy,  at  some  future  day, 
in  heaven,  the  most  perfect  bliss,  as  the  faithful  chil- 
dren of  Mary. 

The  second  stream  of  love  which,  uniting  with  the 
first,  has  its  source  in  that  immaculate  heart,  is  her 
love  towards  Christ  as  man.  She  certainly  is  His 
Mother,  and  in  a  greater  degree  than  any  other 
mother,  for  she  is  a  virgin  Mother,  and  the  Son  of 
God  took  His  human  nature  from  her  alone.  *'  Thou 
art  all  mine,"  might  well  be  her  joyous  thought,  when 
she  pressed  the  Infant  Jesus  to  her  maternal  breast, 
and  nursed  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth.  And,  surely, 
if  God  fills  the  heart  of  every  mother  with  such  affec- 
tion for  her  child,  particularly  if  she  has  long  desired 
to  be  blessed  with  one,  and  still  more,  if  she  sees  it 
grow  up  highly  gifted,  most  amiable,  and  beholds  in 
it  a  pledge  of  her  dignity  and  happiness  on  earth,  who 
can  imagine  what  the  heart  of  Mary  felt  for  Jesus? 
And  this  fire  of  love  towards  Him  increased  every  day 
of  the  thirty  years  during  which  she  dwelt  with  Him 
under  one  roof  at  Nazareth. 

Suppose  a  man  were,  during  thirty  years,  to  pour  oil 


THIRD    SERMON.  543 

into  a  fire,  what  a  vast  conflagration  would  result ! 
The  whole  earth  would  be  one  immense  sea  of  flames. 
What  this  oil  would  be  to  the  fire,  that,  during  thirty 
years,  Jesus  was  for  Mary's  love.  His  appearance, 
each  holy  word  which  fell  from  His  divine  lips.  His 
every  act  in  the  house  of  Nazareth,  increased  her  love 
for  Him.  But  when  Jesus  went  forth  upon  His  apos- 
tolic mission,  then  His  incomparable  preaching,  even 
like  that  oil  upon  the  fire,  enkindled  the  love  of  her 
heart  to  still  greater  ardor,  as  did  also  the  sight  of  the 
miracles  which  He  performed,  commencing  with  the 
first  which  He  wrought  in  Cana,  at  her  own  request. 
At  last  she  stpod  beneath  the  cross,  as  co-redemptrix 
and  Eve  of  the  New  Testament,  and  heard  Jesus  make 
her  the  dispenser  of  His  infinite  merits  in  the  king- 
dom of  that  Church  which  arose  from  the  wound  of 
His  Sacred  Heart  on  the  cross. 

What  ardent  gratitude  glowed  in  the  heart  of  Mary 
for  all  the  favors  granted  to  her ;  gratitude  and  ma- 
ternal love  strive  for  the  mastery  in  her — our  Mother  i 

In  contemplating  her  our  own  hearts  can  not  re- 
main unmoved.  How  could  we  look  at  Mary,  the  dol- 
orous Mother,  who  made  such  a  sacrifice  for  us — how 
hear  in  spirit  the  words  of  Christ  from  the  cross  : 
''Behold  thy  Mother!'' — and  not  feel  an  increase  of  love 
toward  Jesus  for  this  inestimable  gift,  which  He  gave 
us  from  the  cross?  How  could  we  reflect,  that  almost 
in  the  agony  of  death  the  Saviour  remembered  us,  and 
not  increase  in  love  from  day  to  day  ? 

The  whole  appearance  of  Mary,  whether  we  see  her 


544  FEAST    OF    THE    SCAPULAR. 

holding  the  divine  Infarct  in  her  arms,  or  standing  at 
the  foot  of  the  cross,  is  so  beautiful,  so  holy,  that  we 
instantly  perceive  the  value  of  our  Redemption,  and 
recognize  what  a  joy  it  is  for  us  to  be  children  of  that 
Church  in  which  Jesus  deposited  the  word  of  revela- 
tion, and  which  He  enriched  with  every  means  of  sal- 
vation, besides  placing  it  under  the  special  patronage 
of  that  blessed  Mother, 

The  love  which  burns  in  the  heart  of  Mary,  in 
fine,  is  a  well-ordered,  ardent,  self-sacrificing,  mag- 
nanimous, and  faithful  love  towards  all  the  children 
of  men,  whom  the  Lord  transmitted  to  her  from  the 
cross.  Besides  Christ,  no  one  knows  the  value  of 
souls  so  well  as  Mary,  the  Mother  of  the  Redeemer; 
she  saw  all  what  her  divine  Son  Himself  did  for 
them. 

How  mightily,  therefore,  did  the  love  of  Mary  in- 
crease for  Him,  as  well  as  for  every  child  of  man  ; 
how  tenderly  she  thought  of  every  one  of  those  weary 
steps  of  this  divine  Son,  Who  offered  for  them  His 
whole  life,  His  passion  and  death. 

And  in  regard  to  the  fraternal  charity  which  we 
should  cultivate  in  our  hearts,  what  a  motive  to  love 
our  neighbor  as  ourselves  may  be  found  in  the  wish 
to  please  Mary,  even  if  it  were  not  a  precept  which 
God  has  given  to  us !  For,  how  much  will  the  heart 
of  a  mother  be  pleased  and  consoled,  when  we  assist 
a  child  of  hers  who  is  in  need  and  great  danger  !  The 
mother  will  regard  our  efforts  and  kind  offices  as  if 
they  were  conferred  upon  herself;  nay,  her  joy  and 


THIRD    SERMON.  545 

thankfulness  would  be  even  more  intense  than  if  she 
herself  had  received  them. 

Such  is  the  influence  of  the  devotion  to  Mary,  if  we 
look  at  her  as  the  Mother  of  fair  love. 

But,  alas  !  too  often  the  heart  is  full  of  that  disor- 
dered love  which  afflicts  her  mother's  heart  with  the 
deepest  wounds. 

What  a  gain  for  the  soul,  if  the  holy  Scapular  re- 
min(5ls  us  daily  of  Mary,  the  Mother  of  fair  love,  in 
the  manner  I  have  to-day  endeavored  to  describe  !  Oh, 
may  it  do  so;  may  it  cause  the  love  of  God,  the  love 
of  Jesus,  the  love  of  Mary,  and  the  active,  holy  love 
of  our  neighbor  daily  to  increase  in  our  hearts.  Then 
the  Scapular  will,  indeed,  become  a  coat  of  mail,  and 
a  shield  in  our  combat  against  temptation  to  ill-or- 
dered, impure,  and  unholy  love ;  and  it  will  make  us 
faithful  and  unwavering  in  good,  according  to  the  as- 
surance of  St.  Paul :  "  For  love  is  strong  as  death,  and 
should  a  man  give  all  his  substance,  he  shall  despise 
it  as  nothing."  Therefore,  ye  faithful  children  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  be  invested  with  the  Scapular  of 
Mount  Carmel,  whose  use  the  Church  has  approved 
centuries  ago,  and  for  whose  feast  she  has  composed  a 
special  office.  If  rightly  used  it  will  increase  the  flame 
of  love  in  our  hearts,  and  we  shall  be  permitted  to 
apply,  what  St.  Paul  says  of  our  love  for  Christ,  to 
true  devotion  to  His  blessed  Mother:  ''Then  in  all 
things  we  will  conquer  through  her — through  our  love 
towards  Mary." — Amen  ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  ASSUMPTION. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

**  Hail  Mary,  full  of  grace,  the  Lord  is  with  thee !  " — Luke  i,  28. 

MOST  fitting  it  was  that  the  beautiful  casket  which 
enshrined  the  soul  of  Mary  as  a  precious  jewel 
should  not  be  subjected  to  the  dissolution  of  the  grave. 
Therefore  the  blessed  Mother  of  God  was  assumed, 
body  and  soul,  to  the  realms  of  bliss,  and  exalted 
above  all  the  ang^els  and  saints  in  the  fullness  and 
completeness  of  splendor  and  beauty. 

Let  us  rejoice,  then,  on  this  glorious  festival,  and 
praise  the  Lord  of  hosts  in  company  with  the  whole 
celestial  choir. 

This  is  the  day  on  which  the  Church  invites  her 
children  to  celebrate  the  Assumption  of  the  Mother 
of  God,  and  they  accept  the  invitation  with  joy;  for, 
in  love  and  devotion  to  Mary,  all  true  devoted  Catho- 
lics find  their  greatest  delight. 

Now,  if  we  are  filled  with  consolation  as  often  as 
we  address  to  Mary  the  prayer,  in  which  the  Church 
has  combined  the  salutations  of  the  angel  and  of  St. 
Elizabeth,  together  with  an  invocation  of  her  own — 

''Ave  Maria^  or  ''Hail  Mary" — to-day  these  words 

(5461 


FIRST    SERMON.  547 

must  be  replete  with  a  special  unction  and  sweetness ; 
and  therefore  this  salutation  ascends,  on  this  beautiful 
festival,  from  millions  and  millions  of  her  faithful  cli- 
ents, like  a  sweet  perfume  to  her  glorious  throne. 

And  if  this  salutation,  already  on  earth,  fills  us  with 
delight,  how  infinite  will  not  our  joy  be  when  one  day 
we  shall  greet  the  Holy  Virgin  with  the  same  saluta- 
tion in  heaven,  as  children  of  God,  redeemed  by  the 
precious  Blood  of  her  divine  Son  ! 

The  joy  which  the  ransomed  soul  will  feel  in  salut- 
ing the  Mother  of  God  with  the  ''Ave  Maria  "  in  heaven 
shall  be  the  subject  of  meditation  07i  this  beauteous  fes- 
tive day. 

0  Mary,  accept  our  greeting  here  on  earth  in  an- 
ticipation of  that  which  we  hope  one  day  to  offer  be- 
fore thy  throne  in  heaven,  and  take  us  unto  thy  heart 
to-day  and  forever ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


We  deem  ourselves  happy  if  we  are  permitted  to 
salute  persons  of  an  exalted  rank.  Our  hearts  are  glad 
if  we  can  pay  homage  to  the  ruler  of  the  country — be 
he  King,  Emperor,  or  President,  as  the  case  may  be ; 
and  the  measure  of  our  joy  would  be  full  if  we  can 
salute  the  Pope  himself. 

This  feeling  of  joy  becomes  still  more  intense  if  the 
objects  of  our  admiration  be  connected  with  us  by 
bonds  of  relationship  ;  if  we  love  them  ;  if  we  are  in- 


54^  FEAST    OF    THE    ASSUMPTION. 

debted  to  them  for  many  benefits,  and  hope  to  receive 
still  greater  favors  from  them  in  the  future. 

Children  of  Mary,  endeavor  to  realize  how  great 
must  be  the  rejoicings  of  a  soul  that,  entering  heaven, 
beholds  Mary  upon  her  celestial  throne,  and  hastens 
to  the  embrace  of  that  loving  Mother! 

When  Gabriel  brought  the  message  to  Mary,  he 
found  the  Virgin  in  solitude,  pouring  forth  her  soul  in 
prayer  to  God  in  her  humble  little  home -at  Nazareth  ; 
and,  nevertheless,  he  saluted  her  with  the  most  pro- 
found veneration. 

The  message  which  he  brought  to  her  gave  him 
clearly  to  understand  the  Majesty  and  Dignity  of  the 
elected  Virgin. 

And  this  is  why  we  on  earth  already  salute  her  with 
such  veneration  and  joy,  because  we  are  well  aware 
of  her  exalted  dignity  in  the  kingdom  of  God ! 

This  feeling  grows  more  intense  within  us  when  it 
is  our  happy  lot  to  visit  those  places  where  Mary  is 
especially  honored  and  praised;  where  many  miracles 
have  been  performed  through  her  gracious  interces- 
sion, and  where  thousands  at  once  salute  the  Mother 
of  God.    Remember  Loretto,  Lourdes,  Einsiedel. 

But  what  will  be  our  joy  when  we,  for  the  first  time, 
salute  this  Virgin  Mother  with  the  ''Ave  Maria''  in 
heaven,  and  behold  her,  for  the  first  time,  in  that 
glory  and  majesty  with  which  she  was  clothed  by  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  in  heaven. 

What  joy  will  be  ours  when  we  behold  her  in  the 
irresistible  charm  of  her  numberless  merits,  as  Mother 


FIRST    SERMON.  549 

of  God,  as  Co-redemptrix  of  man,  and  as  the  heroic 
woman,  who  walked  with  Christ  to  the  very  foot  of 
the  cross ! 

How  we  will  rejoice  when  we  bow  down  before  her 
as  Queen  of  the  Angels,  whose  prerogatives  are  all 
crowned  in  her;  and,  at  the  same  time,  behold 
blended  in  the  majesty  of  the  Queen  of  all  Saints 
the  glory  of  all  Patriarchs,  Prophets,  Apostles,  Mar- 
tyrs, Confessors  and  of  all  ranks  of  the  blessed ! 

On  all  sides  will  be  entoned  anthems  of  praise, 
homage,  admiration,  and  thanksgiving!  Ah,  yes,  what 
consolation  will  it  be  for  us  to  behold  Mary  one  day, 
and  salute  her  in  this  Majesty  and  Glory ! 

It  is,  indeed,  true  that  already  on  earth  we  salute 
her  as  full  of  grace.  But  in  what  this  fullness  of  grace 
precisely  consists,  we  can  not  as  yet  realize;  neither 
can  we  know  on  earth  the  perfection  with  which  Mary 
corresponded  with  this  plenitude  of  grace,  and  her 
consequent  increase  of  merits,  in  respect  to  which 
Holy  Scripture  says  of  her:  ''Others  have  gathered 
riches,  but  you  surpassed  them  all." 

But  in  heaven  we  shall  clearly  behold  the  ocean  of 
graces  which  the  Holy  Trinity  bestowed  upon  Mary; 
we  shall  see  combined  in  her  heart  all  the  favors 
granted  to  men  and  angels,  as  the  waters  of  all  the 
streams  are  comminorled  in  the  sea. 

'*  Full  of  grace !  "  in  wondering  admiration  the  child 
of  God  cries  out  to  Mary  in  heaven.  ''The  Lord  is 
with  thee!"  thus  spoke  the  Angel  to  Mary  on  earth. 
He  was  permitted  to  salute  her  thus  on  account  of 


550  FEAST   OF    THE    ASSUMPTION. 

her  intimate  union  with  God  by  the  plenitude  of  sanc- 
tifying grace  which  dwells  within  her,  and  which  made 
her  more  pleasing  to  God  than  all  the  angels  and  saints. 

"  The  Lord  is  with  thee !  "  Thus  do  we  salute  Mary 
when  we  see  her  with  the  Infant  Jesus  in  her  arms  ; 
or  think  of  her  dwelling  with  Him  in  the  house  at 
Nazareth;  or  accompanying  Him  in  His  apostolic 
journeys,  or  standing  beneath  the  cross. 

Now  she  sits  enthroned  in  honor  and  glory,  for  her 
place  in  heaven  is  nearest  that  of  her  divine  Son,  Who 
shares  with  her  His  majesty,  His  beatitude,  and  joys 
to  an  extent  that  we  shall  understand  only  in  heaven. 

'*The  Lord  is  with  thee!"  Thus  will  we  greet  the 
Blessed  Virgin  when,  after  having  safely  passed 
through  the  trials  and  temptations  of  life,  we  are  led, 
by  our  gilardian  angel,  to  her  glorious  throne. 

Yes,  and  when  that  happy  day  arrives,  we  may  truly 
add:  ''He  is  with  me  also."  O  Mother  of  fair  love, 
behold  I  come  to  participate  in  the  glory  and  beatitude 
which  through  you  the  King  of  heaven  distributes  to 
all  the  blessed ! 

What  joy  it  is  for  us  to  meet  those  with  whom  God 
has  connected  us  by  the  bonds  of  relationship,  friend- 
ship, or  love,  especially  if  it  be  a  fondly  loved  mother! 
Child  of  Maty,  with  what  delight  will  you  one  day 
greet,  in  heaven,  that  tender  Mother, — Mother  of 
Jesus, — Mother  of  God !  My  Mother,  all  hail  to  you  I 
There  only  will  we  know  the  depth  of  the  maternal 
love  which  filled  her  heart  for  us — the  heart  of  her 
to  whom  the  Lord  bequeathed  us  from  the  cross. 


FIRST    SERMON.  55  I 

Concentrate  the  hearts  of  all  mothers  into  one,  it 
would  be  far  from  containing  the  love  of  Mary  for 
each  of  the  children  of  God.  Never,  until  we  have 
passed  through  the  golden  gates  which  lead  to  the 
mansions  of  eternal  bliss,  can  we  know  the  faithful 
and  tender  love  with  which  she  protects  us  in  life,  and 
intercedes  for  us  with  her  divine  Son  that  temptation 
may  not  be  allowed  to  vanquish  us.  And  when  the  wiles 
of  the  evil  one  succeed  but  too  well,  and  we  are  so  un- 
happy as  to  commit  sin  and  offend  God,  it  is  Mary  who 
pleads  with  her  divine  Son  until  she  has  obtained  for 
us  the  grace  of  repentance  and  amendment  of  life. 

It  is  Mary  who  preserves  us  from  relapsing  into 
sin,  and  gains  for  us  every  grace  which  the  Lord  de- 
signs for  our  sanctification,  particularly  the  grace  of 
final  perseverance. 

*'  Hail  Mary !  "  Well  may  this  cry  ascend  in  heaven 
from  the  soul  rescued  from  eternal  death  by  her  gra- 
cious prayers.  To  thee,  O  dearest  Mother,  I  owe  my 
beatitude  and  joy.  Then  what  a  happiness  to  behold 
thee  here ;  to  hasten  to  thy  maternal  arms ;  to  love 
and  enjoy  with  thee  forever !  When,  mid  the  gathering 
shadows  of  the  valley  of  tears,  my  cry  went  forth  to 
thee:  "Mary,  Mother  of  God,  pray  for  us  sinners 
now,  and  at  the  hour  of  our  death,"  now  in  heaven  I 
see  how  all  the  infinite  attributes  of  God  glorify 
themselves  in  thee,  and,  as  in  a  mirror,  reflect  His 
mercy,  longanimity,  and  sanctity;  His  majesty  and 
glory;  His  beauty,  beatitude,  and  love.  I  am  now 
permitted  to  participate  in  this  thy  glory  and  delight. 


552  FEAST    OF    THE    ASSUMPTION. 

0  happiness  beyond  compare!  ''Whatever  is  mine, 
is  thine,"  is  the  acclamation  which,  coming  from  the 
blissful  lips,  re-echoes  in  my  heart.   Yes,  Mary,  Mother, 

1  come  to  the  refuge  of  thy  maternal  love,  and  em- 
brace thee  on  thy  throne  in  heaven.  Ah,  would  that  we 
were  allowed  to  view,  if  but  for  an  instant,  that  realm 
beyond  the  skies,  and  see  how  a  soul,  purified  by  the 
flames  of  purgatory,  and  released  by  the  prayers  of 
some  faithful  friend,  now  enters  paradise,  and  receives 
the  embrace  of  that  loving  mother,  who  welcomes  her 
happy  child  in  the  realm  of  eternal  beatitude. 

Beloved  in  Christ,  if  you  have  lived  as  true  children 
of  Mary,  you  also  will,  at  the  hour  of  death,  enjoy  the 
bliss  of  a  welcome  from  her. 

Therefore,  salute  her  often  and  often  with  the  an- 
gelic salutation;  and,  calling  upon  her  here  on  earth, 
say  to  her :  ''  Mary,  pray  for  me  now ;  obtain  for  me 
the  grace  that  I,  as  thy  true  child,  may  follow  thy  ex- 
ample on  earth,  avoid-  sin,  crush  the  head  of  the  ser- 
pent, and  imitate  Jesus  by  living  a  holy  life  according 
to  the  state  in  which  I  have  been  placed." 

To-day,  therefore,  when  the  homage  of  all  her  de- 
voted children  ascends  like  the  sweetness  of  fragrant 
flowers  to  Mary,  beg  of  her  to  obtain  for  you  perse- 
verance and  fidelity  unto  your  happy  end ;  that  you 
may  one  day  expire  in  her  arms  and  experience  her 
assistance  in  purgatory,  so  that  you  may  the  more 
speedily  be  enabled  to  cry  out  in  heaven  :  "  Hail  Mary ! 
Mother !  Now  I  am  with  you,  and  will  forever  remain 
with  you!" 


FIRST    SERMON.  553 

This  consideration  on  the  Angeh'c  salutation,  as  it 
will  one  day  be  uttered  by  us  in  heaven,  if  we  sink 
into  the  sleep  of  death  as  children  of  that  Blessed 
Mother,  will  serve  as  a  constant  admonition  to  antici- 
pate this  salutation  by  repeating  it  on  earth  in  a  spirit 
of  recollection,  and  with  the  whole  ardor  of  our  love 
and  confidence  in  Mary,  that  it  may  always  ascend  as 
the  sweet  odor  of  our  devotion  to  her,  the  Queen  of 
heaven. — Amen ! 


554  FEAST    OF    THE    ASSUMPTION. 


SECOND    SERMON. 

"  Mary  hath  chosen  the  better  part,  which  shall  not  be  taken  from  her." — 
Luke  X,  42. 

^^ly  f  ARY  is  exalted  above  all  the  choirs  of  angels." 
iVl  Thus,  does  the  Church  rejoice  on  the  feast 
of  to-day.  Yes,  Mary  is,  indeed,  elevated  to  the  most 
exalted  degree  of  glory  in  heaven ;  for  enthroned  .as 
Queen  of  heaven  and  earth,  her  place  is  nearest  her 
divine,  her  beloved  Son. 

It  is  written  of  Jesus  her  Son:  *'God  has  exalted 
Him  and  given  Him  a  name,  that  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  every  knee  shall  bow  in  heaven,  on  earth,  and 
under  the  earth,  and  every  tongue  shall  confess  that 
Jesus  entered  into  the  glory  of  the  Father."  This  is 
also  true  of  the  glorification  and  honor  of  His  most 
blessed  Mother.  He  has  elevated  her  and  given  her 
a  name,  that  at  the  name  of  Mary  every  creature 
shall  pay  homage  in  heaven  and  on  earth,  and  every 
tongue  shall  confess  that  Mary  has  entered  into  the 
glory  of  her  Son. 

No  other  creature  possesses  such  a  share  In  the 
glorification  of  Christ,  In  heaven,  as  Mary;  and  why? 
Ah!  it  was  because  she  stood  nearest  to  Christ  upon 
earth.  And  what,  my  dearest  Christians,  gained  her 
this  great  grace?  It  was  her  deep  humility.  In  other 
words  :  Mary  descended  into  the  deepest  depths  of 
humiliation  by  the  perfection  to  which  she  carried  the 
virtue  of  humility,  according  to  the  example  and  imi- 


SECOND    SERMON.  555 

tation  of  Jesus  Christ;  and  In  proportion  to  the  depth 
to  which  she  humbled  herself  on  earth,  Christ,  on  His 
part,  exalted  her  throne  in  heaven. 

If  we  wish  to  enter  the  kingdom  of  glory  as  chil- 
dren of  God ;  if  we  wish  to  reach  heaven  and  partici- 
pate in  the  glory  of  the  Son ;  it  is  incumbent  on  us, 
while  still  on  earth,  to  tread,  with  willing  steps,  the 
path  of  humiliations. 

If  we  wish  to  exalt  the  throne  of  our  glorification 
in  heaven,  then  it  is  essential  that  we  humble  our- 
selves in  life.  This  will  become  clear  to  us  if  we  con- 
sider Mary  as  our  model. 

/  say  in  this  regard:  Mary  ascended  the  highest 
point  of  glory  in  heaven,  becausey  after  her  divine  Son, 
no  one  on  earth  ever  descended  so  deep  than  she  in  the 
practice  of  humility. 

0  Mary,  most  humble  of  all  creatures,  obtain  for 
me,  in  preference  to  all  other  virtues,  true  humility  of 
heart ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God! 


I  said :  Mary  attained  the  highest  degree  of  glory 
in  heaven,  because  she  humbled  herself  most  deeply 
on  earth,  and,  by  the  humility  of  her  heart,  modeled 
her  life  on  that  of  her  divine  Son.  It  is  written  of 
Christ,  that  he  not  only  humbled,  but,  as  It  were,  an- 
nihilated himself,  and  that,  therefore,  God  the  Father 

exalted  Him  and  elevated  Him  in  glory  above  all  the 

36 


556  FEAST    OF   THE    ASSUMPTION. 

heavens.  Through  the  prophets  He  styled  Himself 
the  lowest  among  men — an  outcast  of  the  people. 
He,  the  King  of  heaven,  permitted  Himself  to  die 
the  death  of  a  malefactor,  to  be  ranked  lower  than 
a  murderer,  and  even  to  be  crucified  between  a 
murderer  and  a  thief 

If  Christ  thus  lowered  Himself  to  the  rank  of  the 
least  of  men,  such  likewise  must  have  been  the  dispo- 
sition of  her  whom  He  placed  nearest  to  Himself  on 
earth.  Most' justly,  therefore,  has  St.  Bernard  said: 
"  If  Christ  had  found  a  virgin  more  humble  than 
Mary,  He  surely  would  have  chosen  her,  and  not 
Mary,  for  His  Mother." 

We  are  informed,  by  private  revelations  to  the 
Saints,  that  it  was  the  singular  desire  of  Mary  to 
have  the  happiness  of  being  a  handmaid  of  that 
chosen  virgin  who  should  be  so  highly  favored  as  to 
become  the  Mother  of  the  promised  Messiah,  and  yet 
it  was  upon  herself  that  the  divine  choice  was  fixed. 
And  why? 

Mary  herself,  in  that  canticle  of  praise  which  is  now 
entoned  over  the  entire  Catholic  world,  tells  us  why 
she  was  chosen:  "Because  He  hath  regarded  the 
humility  of  His  handmaid."  Thus  Mary  proclaimed 
her  holy  joy  in  the  **  Magnificat,"  when  Elizabeth 
saluted  her  as  the  Mother  of  the  incarnate  Word 
of  God. 

But  it  was  not  only  this  disposition  of  her  heart, 
this  humility,  which  prepared  her  for  the  dignity  of 
becoming  the  Mother  of  God ;   it  was  also  because 


SECOND    SERMON.  *  557 

she  reached,  in  each  of  her  works,  the  highest  perfec- 
tion of  merit.  In  this  most  perfect  humility  we  can 
certainly  find  the  reason  that  she  never  in  any  way 
followed  her  own  will,  that  no  single  action  of  her's 
was  ever  marred  by  any  shadow  of  self-will,  but  that 
her  whole  endeavor  was  to  know  and  fulfill  the  Will 
of  God. 

Even  when  the  angel  saluted  her,  she  called  her- 
self "the  handmaid  of  the  Lord."  And  how  beauti- 
fully was  this  disposition  of  her  heart  verified  at  her 
elevation  to  the  Maternity  of  Christ ;  for  when  she 
was  informed  by  the  angel  that  she  was  the  chosen 
Mother  of  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  and  therefore  to 
be  exalted  ^bove  all  creatures  in  heaven  and  on 
earth,  she  did  not  entone  the  **Te  Deum;"  no  evi- 
dence of  excessive  or  exuberant  joy  appeared  in  her 
heavenly  countenance ;  but  she  uttered  only  the  words 
of  entire  submission  to  the  most  holy  will  of  God : 

''Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it  done  to 
me  according  to  Thy  word." 

*'My  will  in  her" — that  is,  the  praise  which  the 
Holy  Ghost  confers  upon  her.  Oh,  how  majestic, 
how  holy,  how  great,  is  Mary  In  the  humility  of  her 
heart,  which,  excepting  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Christ, 
was  in  no  other  creature,  not  even  in  the  angels  of 
heaven,  manifested  in  so  perfect  a  degree.  And  in 
this  perfect  humility  can  be  found  the  reason  why  the 
merits  of  her  actions  surpassed,  in  an  immeasurable 
degree,  that  of  all  others,  both  men  and  angels. 

It  is  not  from  the  number  of  precious  stones  which 


558  FEAST    OF    THE    ASSUMPTION. 

are  exposed  to  view  that  we  judge  of  a  person's 
wealth,  but  from  their  size,  their  clearness  and  value. 
All  the  good  works  of  the  angels  and  saints  may  be 
compared  to  precious  stones ;  but  what  determines 
their  value  ?  I  answer :  conformity  of  intention  with 
the  most  holy  ivill  of  God  unmingled  with  any  alloy 
of-self-will,  or  obstinacy,  or  self-interest.  Therefore,  if  I 
were  so  happy  as  to  have  the  merit  of  only  one  good 
work  of  Mary,  I  would  not  change  it  for  the  united 
merits  of  all  the  angels  and  saints. 

On  the  contrary,  what,  indeed,  too  often  diminishes 
the  merits  of  our  good  actions?  It  is  a  want  of 
humility,  the  dust  of  self-love,  self-conceit,  and  a  lack 
of  purity  of  intention,  which  causes  man,  with  all  the 
good  works  which  he  performs  for  the  honor  of 
God,  to  keep  before  his  eyes  himself- — his  own  inter- 
est— which  urges  him  to  long  for  honor  and  distinction. 
Therefore,  if  we  wish  to  increase  the  glory  of  that 
throne  which  awaits  us  in  heaven,  and  to  be  nearer 
still  to  Mary,  then  it  becomes  necessary  to  humble 
ourselves,  and  to  open,  in  all  the  good  we  do,  the 
contest  with  self-love,  and  to  desire  nothing  else  than 
the  greater  honor  and  glory  of  God,  for  He  has  prom- 
ised: ''Those  who  glorify  Me,  those  will  I  also  one 
day  glorify." 

What  will  increase  our  glory  in  heaven  is  especially 
our  union  with  the  most  holy  will  of  God  in  all  suf- 
ferings and  afflictions. 

Glance  at  the  most  holy  Virgin,  in  her  earthly  life, 
and  you  will  realize  the  truth  of  this  remark. 


SECOND    SERMON.  559 

On  earth,  nearest  the  Cross ;  in  heaven,  next  to 
the  throne  of  her  divine  Son :  on  earth,  Queen  of 
martyrs;  in  heaven,  Queen  of  the  glorious  and  re- 
splendent host  of  saints  and  angels :  on  earth,  suffer- 
ing the  pangs  of  a  heart  pierced  with  the  sword  of 
grief;  in  heaven,  happy  in  the  possession  of  a  heart 
filled  with  the  purest  celestial  bliss. 

And,  my  dear  brethren,  had  not  Christ  Himself  to 
enter  into  the  joy  of  heaven  by  the  rugged  path  of  pain 
and  grief?  Undoubtedly  He  had,  as  we  learn  from 
the  words  addressed  by  Him  through  the  Prophet: 
*'Oh,  all  you  that  pass  by  the  way,  attend  and  see  if 
there  be  any  sorrow  like  unto  my  sorrow!" 

This  was  the  mournful  plaint  which  Christ,  through 
the  lips  of  the  prophet,  uttered  centuries  before,  and 
well  might  it  be  addressed,  by  Mary,  to  the  children 
of  men,  as  she  stood  beneath  the  Cross:  **Oh,  all 
you  that  pass  by  the  way*' — all  you  who,  during  the 
long  course  of  centuries,  will  listen  to  the  tale  of  my 
Son's  passion — ''attend  and  see  if  there  be,  except 
His,  any  sorrow  like  unto  mine !  " 

Thus  Christ  entered  into  His  joys  and  ascended 
the  throne  of  His  glory;  thus  did  Mary  and  all  the 
blessed  who  ever  entered,  or  will  enter,  heaven,  attain 
eternal  joy.  There  is  no  other  way  to  heaven  than 
that  of  patience,  of  suffering  for  the  love  of  God,  in 
perfect  union  with  His  most  holy  will. 

And  why  is  it  that  we  do  not  tread  the  path  of 
suffering  with  the  unfaltering  step  with  which  Jesus 
and  Mary,  and  all  the  saints  of  God,  walked  therein  ? 


560  FEAST    OF  THE    ASSUMPTION. 

It  is  because  humility  is  wanting  in  us ;  for  how 
many,  beloved  in  Christ,  when  the  hand  qf  the  Lord 
presses  upon  them,  cry  out,  in  utter  want  of  resigna- 
tion: ''What  have  we  done,  O  Lord,  to  be  thus 
afflicted?" 

This  is  especially  so  when  the  trouble,  or  injury, 
comes  from  some  one,  whom  we  have  benefited,  but 
who  has  repaid  us  with  ingratitude.  It  seldom  hap- 
pens that  the  children  of  the  Church  do  not  receive 
the  cross  from  the  hand  of  man  as  well  as  from  the 
hand  of  God  himself;  but,  alas !  equally  seldom  do  we 
find  them  exclaim,  with  sincere  humility:  ''This  and 
more  yet  have  I  deserved!  It  is,  O  God,  Thy  hand 
which  strikes  and  chastises  me,  or  which  afflicts  me,  in 
order  to  give  me  occasion,  through  suffering,  to  show 
my  love  to  Thee."  The  trial  is  still  harder  so,  if  the 
trouble  comes  from  one  at  whose  hands  we  have  had 
reason  to  expect  treatment  of  a  different  kind.  Mary 
experienced  all  these  afflictions  at  the  foot  of  the 
Cross.  But  she  rejoiced  to  suffer  innocently  with  the 
innocent  Jesus,  and  to  take  upon  herself  the  scorn 
and  derision  of  the  enemies  and  crucifiers  of  our 
Lord,  in  perfect  union  with  the  most  holy  will  of 
God. 

Behold  here  the  degrees  of  humility,  which  lead 
us,  while  upon  earth,  through  lowly  paths,  that  in 
heaven  we  may  reach  to  high  degrees  of  glory,  of 
that  humility  which  prompts  us  to  say :  "  O  my  God, 
O  Lord,  I  deserve  not  the  happiness  of  being  a  child 
of  election,  a  child  of  thy  Holy  Church.    I  deserve  no 


SECOND    SERMON.  56 1 

praise  for  the  good  I  do.  To  Thee  alone,  O  Lord, 
be  all  the  honor.  In  every  decree  of  Thine  I  will 
kiss 'Thy  gracious  fatherly  hand;  and  when  Thou 
dost  please  to  try  me  by  some  heavy  sorrow  I  will 
cry  out:    *Thy  will  be  done.'" 

And  if  you  one  day  receive  with  this  resignation 
the  announcement  of  your  approaching  death,  and 
yield  up  your  spirit  in  perfect  conformity  to  the  will 
of  God,  desiring  nothing  further  on  earth  than  to  die 
in  the  manner  decreed  by  Him,  O  then,  indeed,  you 
will  ascend  so  high  in  heaven  that  your  throne  will 
be  bathed  in  the  light  of  glory  that  inundates  the 
throne  of  heaven's  Queen ;  and  this  because,  while 
here  on  earth,  O  happy  child  of  Mary,  you  tried  to 
be  like  her  :   Meek  and  humble! — Amen. 


562  -       FEAST    OF   THE    ASSUMPTION. 


THIRD  SERMON. 

"When  shall  I  come  and  appear  before  Thy  face?" — Ps.  xli. 

E  read  in  the  life  of  St.  Stanislaus  Kostka  that, 


w 


being  visited  by  sickness  in  Vienna,  Mary  ap- 
peared to  him  with  the  Infant  Jesus  upon  her  arm. 
The  divine  Child  embraced  the  holy  youth,  while  Mary 
told  him  distinctly  that  he  should  leave  the  world  and 
enter  the  Society  of  Jesus.  Without  hesitation  he  obey- 
ed, and  traveled  on  foot  all  the  way  to  Rome,  where- 
St.  Francis  Borgia  received  him  into  the  Society. 

But  God  had  decreed  that  ere  long  he  should  set 
out  upon  another  journey,  and  travel  from  Rome  to 
Heaven.  He  was  still  in  the  morning  of  life,  in  the 
first  bloom  of  early  youth,  when,  before  the  year 
which  had  witnessed  his  entrance  into  religion  elapsed, 
on  the  Feast  of  the  Assumption,  his  pure  soul  winged 
its  flight  to  God.  What  shortened  his  days  and  burst 
the  bands  which  bound  his  soul  to  earth,  was  the  ar-' 
dor  of  his  desire  to  behold  Mary  in  heaven.  He  wrote 
to  her  in  terms  of  glowing  love,  begging  her  to  take 
him  from  this  world,  and  to  obtain  for  him  the  favor 
of  celebrating  the  approaching  feast  of  her  glorious 
Assumption  in  the  company  of  the  angels  and  of  the 
saints. 

Mary  heard  his  prayer.  He  died  on  the  morning 
of  her  feast.  Mary  herself  came  to  bring  him  with 
her   to   Heaven.     Beloved  in   Christ,  you   may  ask: 


THIRD    SERMON.  563 

What  filled  the  heart  of  St.  Stanislaus  with  such  great 
longiiig  to  see  Mary  in  heave^i  f  It  may  be  worth  our 
while  to-day  to  answer  this  question. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  fair  love,  crowned  Queen  of 
Heaven,  may  our  longing  to  see  you  in  Heaven  so 
sanctify  our  lives  that  we  may  at  an  early  day  cele- 
brate with  St.  Stanislaus  the  feast  of  your  Assumption  ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


St.  Stanislaus  longed  for  heaven.  Great  saint,  we 
share  that  desire !  Many  are  the  reasons  which  inspire 
us  with  disgust  for  this  world  and  excite  in  us  a  long- 
ing for  heaven. 

First,  in  regard  to  the  exterior  world  in  general  and 
the  life  which  we  live,  many  long  and  weary  years  has 
the  earth  groaned  under  the  curse  of  sin.  There  are 
indeed  here  below,  even  after  the  gates  of  Paradise 
are  closed  against  us,  many  beautiful  countries ;  but 
all  men  can  not  live  there,  and  those  who  do,  grow 
accustomed  to  the  beauty  which  surrounds  them  and 
find  it  monotonous  and  tame. 

Oh,  how  I  long  to  behold  the  delights  of  the  Lord 
in  the  country  of  the  living — to  behold  what  a  God 
Who  is  infinite  Beauty  and  Blessedness,  and  at  the 
same  time  omnipotent,  is  able  to  create ! 

Here  on  earth  are  men  who,  though  wide  tracts  of 
land  lie  unused,  can  not -call  one  foot  of  ground  their 
own. 


564  FEAST    OF    THE    ASSUMPTION. 

O  Mary,  I  long  to  leave  this  inhospitable  country 
to  enter  heaven,  there  to  exclaim  :  ■'  Heaven  is  mine  ! 
All  is  mine  !  " 

Here,  according  to  the  curse  pronounced  on  man — 
"  In  the  sweat  of  thy  brow  shalt  thou  eat  thy  bread  " — 
he  is  obliged  to  earn  his  bread  by  weary  toil,  for  that 
curse  is  fulfilled  in  every  one  to  a  greater  or  less 
degree. 

O  Mary,  I  desire  to  go  home  to  heaven !  Here  is 
labor — there  is  reward ;  here  is  toil — there  is  rest ; 
here  is  anxiety — there  is  peace.  Here  is  one  constant 
vicissitude — to-day  rich,  to-morrow  poor ;  to-day  in 
health,  to-morrow  in  sickness ;  to-day  honored,  to- 
morrow despised  ;  to-day  flattered,  to-morrow  perse- 
cuted ;  to-day  it  is  life,  to-morrow  death. 

In  heaven  we  find  rest  eternal  and  perpetual  joy. 
Oh,  how  I  yearn  to  go  to  heaven !  Here  all  is  perish- 
able— there  all  is  eternal ;  here  is  suffering — there  is 
rejoicing. 

With  what  perfect  justice,  no  doubt,  could  Job  ex- 
claim :  *'  Man,  born  of  a  woman,  liveth  but  a  short 
time,  and  is  filled  with  many  miseries.'* 

How  many  thorns  of  suffering  spring  up  in  life  from 
the  one  single  care  to  provide  for  one's  self  and  fam- 
ily! Often,  with  the  most  willing  heart  to  labor,  a 
person  can  even  find  no  employment. 

To  this  are  added  innumerable  painful  sicknesses, 
and  finally  death.    Oh,  I  long  to  leave  this  world  to' 
go  to  heaven,  where,  for  ever  and  ever,  no  shadow 
of  trouble  can  ever  fall — no  rain,  no  hunger,  no  thirst, 


THIRD    SERMON.  565 

no  misery  afflict  the  body — no  separation  distresses 
the  soul;  where  no  tears  are  shed;  where  there  is 
naught  but  joy — eternal  joy. 

If  we  regard  the  society  and  the  intercourse  of  men 
on  earth,  what  a  longing  after  heaven  stirs  up  the 
heart  of  man  ! 

Oh,  what  terrible  wickedness,  servility,  and  malice, 
what  falsehood  and  treachery,  are  found  among  men 
in  this  valley  of  tears  ! 

In  heaven  there  is  only  the  Communion  of  Saints. 

Oh,  I  desire  to  leave  this  sink  of  moral  corruption 
to  enter  the  society  of  Angels  and  Saints — to  fly  from 
the  company  of  creatures  and  enjoy  an  endless  union 
with  God  Himself! 

As  long  as  I  live  on  earth  I  live  in  danger  of  offend- 
ing God.  In  heaven  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to 
commit  sin.  Oh,  thrice  happy  impossibility!  Mary,  I 
desire  to  leave  this  world  to  go  to  heaven ! 

If  there  were  no  other  motive,  this  alone  would  be 
sufficient  for  a  soul  inflamed  with  love  of  God  to  lonor 

o 

continually  for  heaven,  where  never  a  shadow  of  temp- 
tation or  imperfection  is  to  be  found,  where  to  displease 
God  is  an  impossibility. 

The  misery  of  this  world  and  the  happiness  of  the 
next  was  the  daily  subject  of  meditation  for  St.  Stan- 
islaus ;  hence  his  longing  for  the  abode  of  the  blessed. 

But  apart  from  all  these  motives,  there  is,  for  the 
child  of  Mary,  one  motive  which,  in  the  abstract,  is 
alone  powerful  enough  to  nourish  daily — yes,  hourly — 
in  our  hearts  the  desire  of  Heaven.    It  is  the  wish  to 


566  FEAST    OF    THE    ASSUMPTION. 

behold  there  this  dear  Mother,  to  offer  her  our  thanks, 
and  to  share  her  beatitude  forever. 

It.  was,  above  all  others,  this  motive  which  so  in- 
flamed the  heart  of  St.  Stanislaus  that  it  dissolved  the 
fetters  which  held  him  to  earth,  and  set  him  free  to  fly 
to  heaven  on  this  lovely  feast  so  dear  to  the  hearts  of 
Mary's  devoted  children. 

Oh,  how  many  reasons  have  we  to  long  with  St. 
Stanislaus  for  heaven !  For  if  its  general  magnificence 
is  so  indescribably  ravishing,  and  each  dwelling  there, 
each  throne,  each  crown  so  resplendent  with  unfading 
glory,  how  magnificently  will  not  the  mansion,  the 
palace,  the  throne,  the  crown  shine  forth  which  God 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  have  prepared  for 
the  Queen  of  heaven  ! 

Oh,  that  I,  too,  might  soon  with  St.  Stanislaus  be- 
hold them  in  all  their  beauty ! 

Heaven  is  the  kingdom  of  reward,  with  which  noth- 
ing earthly  can  be  compared.  **  Eye  hath  not  seen  nor 
ear  heard,  nor  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man 
to  conceive  what  God  has  prepared  for  His  lovers." 

And  as  to  Mary,  each  act  of  hers  surpasses  in  merit 
those  of  the  saints  and  angels.  They  are  the  jewels 
on  her  heavenly  attire,  the  gems  on  her  celestial 
crown. 

It  is  your  happy  lot,  St.  Stanislaus,  to  gaze  upon 
Mary  to-day.  Oh,  that  I  .too,  ere  long,  may  behold  her 
there  with  you  !  I  long  to  see  Mary,  as  tl|£  mirror  of 
justice,  in  the  abundance  of  merit  which  distinguished 
her,  which,  from  the  beginning  with  her  Immaculate 


THIRD    SERMON.  567 

Conception,  augmented  to  the  day  on  which  her  stain- 
less soul  departed  this  life. 

I  long  to  see  her,  to  salute  her,  to  thank  God  with 
and  through  her  for  her  great  glory  and  pre-election, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  see  all  the  graces  which  she 
has  obtained  for  me  from  Him,  as  the  Mother  of 
mercy,  as  Mother  of  divine  grace.  How  much  I  am 
indebted  to  her  intercession  and  solicitude  for  the 
rescue  and  sanctification  of  my  soul ! 

Indeed,  I  long  to  enter  heaven  and  to  present  to 
Mary  my  affectionate  homage  and  veneration,  my  grat- 
itude and  love.  Only  in  heaven  can  this  be  done  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  my  heart.  Here  in  the  land 
of  my  exile  I  can  only  thank  her  from  afar,  surrounded 
by  the  assaults  of  the  enemy  of  salvation — there  I  will 
thank  her  as  her  rescued  child  ;  and  not  alone  my 
thanks  will  be  offered,  for  with  them  will  go  the  ar- 
dent gratitude  of  the  whole  celestial  host. 

A  heart  penetrated  with  gratitude  to  God  invites,  as 
the  Psalmist  admonishes  us,  every  creature  in  heaven 
and  on  earth  to  laud,  praise,  and  thank  God.  The  same 
may  be  justly  said  of  our  gratitude  to  Mary  the  Mother 
of  God.  4 

Oh,  what  a  motive  to  sigh  after  heaven  with  the  fer- 
vent ardor  which  glowed  in  the  heart  of  St.  Stanislaus ! 
What  a  joy  and  privilege,  in  the  company  of  the  An- 
gels and  Saints,  to  laud,  praise,  and  thank  Mary! 

St.  Stanislaus,  the  Holy  Ghost  moved  thee  to  direct 
thy  petition  to  Mary,  because  that  divine  Spirit  chose 
thee  as  a  model  for  youth.    We,  on  the  contrary,  call 


/ 


568  FEAST    OF    THE    ASSUMPTION. 

Upon  thee  to  obtain  for  us  through  her  the  grace  to  cel- 
ebrate yet  often,  but  always  In  a  more  worthy  manner, 
the  Feast  of  her  Assumption  on  earth,  until  we  shall 
be  called  from  this  land  of  exile  to  celebrate  with  thee 
in  heaven  this  happy  feast,  and  with  all  the  Angels  and 
Saints  rejoice  in  the  possibly  highest  degree  there- 
at.— Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE 
BLESSED  VIRGIN. 


FIRST  SERMON. 

**Who  is  she  that  cometh  forth  as  the  morning  rising?" — Cant,  vi,  9. 

CHRIST  calls  Himself  the  light  of  the  world,  and 
such,  in  truth.  He  is.  The  Church  terms  Him  the 
Sun  of  Justice,  and  calls  Mary  blessed,  because  from 
her  sprung  this  Sun.  that  came  to  illume  the  world. 

She  is,  therefore,  justly  styled  the  Dawn  of  Morn,  an- 
nouncing, by  her  happy  birth,  the  coming  of  the  Sun. 

For  four  thousand  years  the  gloom,  occasioned  by 
the  fall  of  Adam,  lay  brooding  over  man.  For  four 
thousand  years  man  sighed  for  the  coming  of  the 
Redeemer ;  and  who  can  tell  the  storms  and  trials 
that  befell  him  during  this  long  period  of  time?  But 
the  day  dawned  that  gave  birth  and  life  to  the 
Mother  of  this  Redeemer.  Ah,  happy  day !  Though 
it  was  not  hers  to  free  us  from  our  bonds,  and  draw 
us  out  of  the  depth  of  misery  into  which  sin  had  cast 
us,  yet  hers  it  was  to  foretell  the  advent  of  the  Sav- 
iour, even  as  the  morning  dawn  foretells  the  light  of 
day. 

The  very  first  appearance  of  the  dawn  warns  us 

that  the  sun  will  soon  follow,  bringing  with  him  light 

and  growth,  and  sustenance  and  Hfe.    So  did  the  birth 

(569) 


570      FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

of  our  Lady  proclaim,  to  those  who  lived  in  pious  ex- 
pectation, the  coming  of  the  Messiah. 

Let  us  consider  to-day  the  prayer  of  the  Church : 
''Thy  birth  hath  brought  joy  unto  the  whole  world, 
because,  out  of  thee,  there  came  forth  the  Su7i  of  fustice, 
Christ  our  Lord  and  God'' 

Mary,  bless  especially  this  day  thy  rejoicing  chil- 
dren!       / 

I  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  honor  and  glory  of  God ! 


Who  has  not  felt  his  heart  calmed  and  cheered  at 
beholding  that  beautiful  phenomenon  of  nature — the 
Aurora !  How  soothing  a  sight  especially  it  is  to  one 
who  has  passed  a  long  and  fearful  night,  where  pain 
and  dread  and  danger  left  him  no  rest,  but  has  rea- 
son to  hope  that  the  day  will  relieve  all  this  pain  and 
misery ! 

And  so  it  is  with  us  when  we  behold,  with  loving 
trust,  the  child  that  is  born  unto  us  this  day.  The 
words  addressed  to  the  shepherds  at  the  birth  of  our 
Saviour — "I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  for 
this  day  is  born  to  you  a  Saviour" — are  applicable  to 
the  child  that  is  born  this  day.  The  Angel  could  have 
addressed  us  in  almost  the  same  terms :  I  bring  you 
good  tidings  of  great  joy,  for  this  day  is  born  unto 
you  Mary,  the  Mother  of  the  Redeemer.  Yet  a  few 
years,  and  there  will  come  forth  from  her  blessed 
womb  Christ  Jesus,  the  Sun  of  Justice,  Who  will  dis- 


FIRST    SERMON.  57  I 

pel  the  darkness  of  sin  that  has  overtaken  the  chil- 
dren of  men.  He  will  turn  night  into  day ;  yea,  into 
a  day  of  happy  and  celestial  Ight ! 

How  great  is  the  joy  of  the  royal  heir  when,  after 
having  lost  his  claims  to  the  throne,  he  beholds  the 
morn  that  will  reinstate  him  in  his  rights,  and  make 
him  the  ruler  of  a  yet  mightier  kingdom. 

Such,  my  brethren,  Is  our  happy  lot  through  Christ, 
Who  is  the  Light  of  the  world.  He  is  to  make  us 
children  of  God;  to  make  us  happy  in  calling  God 
our  Father.;  to  make  us  lawful  heirs  of  heaven, — heirs 
far  richer  than  we  would  have  been  had  we  never  lost 
our  inheritance.  Oh,  let  us  return  thanks  to  God,  and 
hail  with  fairest  greeting  the  child  that  is  to  be  the 
Mother  of  such  a  God  and  Benefactor ! 

Take  the  case  of  an  unfortunate  man,  who,  though 
once  rich,  Is  now  leading  a  wretched  life.  He  is  sud- 
denly surprised  with  the  news,  that  on  a  fixed  day 
he  Is  to  recrain  all  his  wealth  with  twofold   interest. 

o 

That  day  is  now  dawning;  and,  oh,  how  its  first  ap- 
pearance in  the  Eastern  skies  thrills  his  soul  with 
joy! 

Dear  brethren,  you  remember  how  sin  has  robbed 
us  of  every  thing;  but  you,  likewise,  remember  that 
Christ  has  made  us  partakers  of  the  superabundance 
of  His  grace,  and  obtained  for  us  the  means  of  ob- 
taining merits  for  His  kingdom  of  glory.  Mary's  na- 
tivity announces  the  approach  of  this  eventful  day. 
Rejoice,  therefore,  and  be  glad ! 

A  sick  man  spends  a  sleepless  night.    He  is  suffer- 

37 


572     FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

ing  from  a  painful  malady.  However,  there  is  hope 
for  him.  The  physician  tells  him  that  on  such  a  day, 
fixing  the  precise  date,  he  will  be  cured.  That  day  is 
now  advancing;  already  its  first  glimmerings  appear 
in  the  horizon.  He  raises  himself  from  his  bed,  and 
hails  the  light  of  the  looked-for  day. 

Beloved  brethren,  we  all  have  been  wounded  by  sin, 
fatally  wounded.  Christ  came  to  heal  our  wounds,  and 
to  save  us  from  the  dangers  of  eternal  death.  He  shall 
be  to  us  a  means  of  recovery,  perfect  recovery ;  but 
Mary  is  as  "the  morning  rising"  of  the  -day  of  our 
salvation,  effected  through  Christ  our  Redeemer.  It 
is  just,  then,  that  we  should  celebrate  her  nativity  with 
festive  rejoicings. 

'  A  prisoner  pines  in  his  dungeon.  He  is  to  be  freed 
from  prison  on  a  certain  day.  The  dawn  of  that  day 
is  about  to  break;  and,  when  he  catches  the  first 
glimpse  of  the  morning  light,  he  cries  out :  "  Hail, 
happy  light ;  a  little  longer,  and  I  am  free !  " 

And  how  much  greater  should  be  our  happiness  to- 
day! Eternal  pains  of  hunger  and  thirst  were  to  be 
our  only  share !  It  is  sin's  share !  Our  Lord  would 
free  us  from  this  misery.  By  the  union  which  He 
effected  between  God  and  us,  we  shall  be  partly  sa- 
tiated in  this  world,  entirely  and  forever  In  heaven. 
Ah,  lovely  dawn,  birth  of  the  Virgin  Mother,  that  an- 
nouncest  our  Saviour's  coming!  And,  in  very  truth, 
her  birth  is  as  the  morning  dawn,  the  dawn  of  free- 
dom ;  of  salvation ;  of  grace ;  of  mental  illumination ; 
of  fortitude ;  of  consolation,  and  of  happiness  eternal. 


FIRST    SERMON.  573 

No  more  shall  darkness  obscure  our  understanding ; 
but  bright  and  clear  is  the  way  that  leads  us  on  to 
heaven.  No  more  shall  we  grow  faint  and  weary  in 
the  service  of  God ;  in  the  observance  of  His  laws  ; 
in  the  practice  of  virtue ;  in  the  treading  of  the  path 
of  perfection ;  but  steadfast  and  strong  shall  we  be  in 
leading  an  almost  angelic  life  here  on  earth. 

No  more  shall  distress  make  our  hearts  fail,  but  in 
the  splendor  of  the  Gospel  Sun  we  shall  see  the  value 
of  sufferings  as  reflected  from  the  life  and  deeds  of 
our  Lord;  and  the  ointment  of  His  merits  shall  be 
poured  into  the  wounds  which  hardships,  trials,  and 
tribulations  have  dealt  us  so  severely. 

No  more  shall  the  thought  of  approaching  death  fill 
us  with  fear  and  trembling;  but,  after  looking  upon 
Christ  victorious,  we  shall  say,  with  the  Apostle :  "  O 
death!  where  Is  thy  sting?" 

And  what  if  our  body  crumble  Into  dust?  Christ 
says :  "  I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life,  he  that  be- 
lleveth  In  Me,  although  he  be  dead,  yet  shall  live." 

This,  then,  is  the  day  which  the  Lord  has  made. 
Let  us  rejoice  and  be  glad,  as  holy  king  David  bids 
us.  The  nativity  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  foretells  the 
coming  of  the  Saviour.  Hence  it  Is  that  we  celebrate, 
with  such  solemnity,  this  day,  which  is  the  precursor 
of  that  greatest  of  days — Christmas. 

And  may  we  endeavor  to  reap  benefits  from  this 
feast  by  resolving  so  firmly  to  Imitate  her  that  to* 
day's  celebration  may  be  the  beginning  of  the  long 
and  blissful  day  that  awaits  her  faithful  followers. 


I 

574      FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

Let  US  remember,  too,  that  we  are  not  to  rest  sat- 
isfied in  mere  empty  rejoicings;  but  that  we  should 
meditate  on  the  various  events  of  her  Hfe,  that  we 
may  be  led  on  to,  and  strengthened  in,  the  resolve 
to  imitate  her,  and  so  to  grow  in  age  and  wisdom  be- 
fore God  and  men. — Amen  ! 


SECOND    SERMON.  575 

SECOND  SERMON. 

**  What  an  one,  think  ye,  shall  this  child  be  ?  " — Luke  i,  66. 

WHEN  St.  John,  the  precursor  of  our  Lord,  first 
saw  the  light  of  day,  and  when  his  father's  tongue 
was  loosed,  as  he  wrote  the  name  of  the  child,  people 
wondered  and  said :  *'  What  an  one,  think  ye,  shall 
this  child  be?  For  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with 
him." 

This  child  was  to  be  the  forerunner  of  our  Lord, 
of  Him  who  is  to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  to  pre- 
pare for  Him  a  way  by  which  to  enter  the  hearts  of 
the  children  of  men.  Had  the  neighbors,  when  they 
first  saw  the  child,  but  known  his  high  vocation,  they 
would  have  had  every  reason  to  congratulate  him,  and 
to  be  glad  over  his  birth.  I  shall  apply  this  text :  '*  What 
an  one,  think  ye,  shall  this  child  be  ? "  to  the  birth  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin,  the  Mother  of  the  Incarnate  Son 
of  God. 

How  many  and  how  great  reasons  should  have 
urged  the  people,  who  lived  at  the  time  of  her  birth, 
to  congratulate  the  child,  and  to  be  glad.  To  them, 
however,  these  were  not  known.  But  we  do  know, 
and  we,  therefore,  celebrate  the  memory  of  the  happy 
occurrence  of  her  nativity,  as  though  this  were  the 
day  on  which  our  Blessed  Lady  first  saw  the  light  of 
day. 

It  is  in  this  spirit,  as  you  are  well  aware,  that  the 


576    FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

Church  celebrates  her  feasts,  and  her  prayer  for  to- 
day's festivity  confirms  what  I  have  just  said. 

Be  it  then  to  her  ho7ior  and  to  our  consolation  that  I 
ask  the  question :  what  child  is  this  that  is  born  to-day  ? 
and  what  shall  this  child  be? 

The  answer  to  the  two  questions  shall  be  the  sub- 
ject of  my  sermon. 

And  thou,  Mother  of  God,  obtain  for  us  the  grace 
to  know  thy  Dignity  and  Power,  and  our  hearts  will 
be  filled  with  festive  joy! 

I  speak  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
glory  of  God ! 


The  chief  reason  why  a  whole  empire  often  rejoices 
at  the  birth  of  a  child,  is  because  this  child  is  heir  or 
heiress  to  the  throne.  Then  it  is,  that  days  of  jubilee 
are  proclaimed  throughout  the  land. 

Observe,  then,  the  character  of  the  child  that  is  born 
to-day.  This  child  is  the  future  Queen  of  heaven  and 
earth,  the  Ruler  of  the  powers  of  Nature,  the  Mis- 
tress, not  only  of  the  visible  world,  but  of  those  spa- 
cious realms  of  glory  that  loom  up  with  dazzling  bril- 
liancy beyond  the  skies.  Yea,  more,  she  is  Queen  of 
the  Angels,  in  the  order  of  their  choirs, — of  Angels, 
of  Archangels,  of  Dominations,  Virtues,  Powers,. 
Thrones,  Principalities,  Seraphim,  and  Cherubim.  All 
the  Choirs  of  Angels  are  hovering  around  the  cradle 
of  this  child,  and  pay  homage  to  their  Queen. 

Yet,  even  now,  at  the  first  moment  of  her  life,  this 


SECOND    SERMON.  577 

child  is  full  of  grace,  surpassing,  by  the  splendor  of  • 
her  virtues,  all  the  Choirs  of  Angels  who  may  justly  ex- 
claim in  their  bewilderment  of  joy  :  "  Who  is  she,  fair 
as  the  moon,  bright  as  the  sun,  the  one  chosen 
Mother  of  the  Son  of  God?  "  Already  in  her  mother's 
womb  she  was  endowed  with  the  full  use  of  reason, 
so  that  with  every  breath  she  could  gain  merits  that 
surpassed  those  of  the  angels  and  saints,  and  these 
merits  would  go  on  increasing  to  the  end  of  her  life. 
What  a  glorious  spectacle  for  the  Angels  to  behold 
this  child!  and  her  name  should  be  Mary,  which  sig- 
nifies— the  sea. 

It  was  not  without  a  special  intervention  of  heaven 
that  St.  Joachim  and  St.  Anna  gave  the  child  of  grace 
this  name.  For  as  all  the  waters  of  the  rivers  flow  into 
the  sea,  and  the  sea  majestically  flows  over  them  all,  so 
should  every  grace  which  God  ever  granted  to  Angels 
and  Saints,  and  will  ever  grant  them  to  the  end  of  time, 
flow  into  the  heart  of  Mary,  and  be  inundated  with 
the  fullness  of  her  grace.  Yet,  what  do  I  say :  this 
Child  is  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  Angels.  Rather  let 
us  consider,  with  what  complacency  the  Blessed  Trin- 
ity looks  upon  this  Child. 

''This  is  My  beloved  Son,  in  Whom  I  am  well 
pleased,"  thus  resounded  the  voice  of  the  heavenly 
Father  on  Mount  Tabor.  And  to-day  the  voice  of 
that  same  Father  is  heard  over  the  cradle  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin:  "This  is  My  beloved  daughter,  in 
whom  I  am  well  pleased."  And  the  voice  of  the  Son 
re-echoes :  "This  is  My  Mother,  whom  I  have  chosen 


578    FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

from  eternity,  and  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased."  Be- 
neath her  heart  I  shall  soon  rest  as  God  and  man ; 
shall  first  take  substance  from  her.  Her  I  shall  after- 
wards embrace  as  My  Mother,  honor  as  my  Mother, 
and  glorify  as  My  Mother.  ''This  is  My  beloved 
spouse  whom  I  have  chosen  from  eternity,  and  in  whom 
I  am  well  pleased.  My  only  spouse,  immaculate."  Such 
are  the  words  spoken  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  had  a 
prophet  been  present  at  her  birth,  as  at  that  of  St. 
John,  what  might  his  prophecies  have  been  ?  We  know, 
for  even  then  all  that  Scripture  and  tradition  said  of 
her  dignity  power,  sanctity,  and  glory  was  fulfilled. 

This  child — such  might  have  been  the  words  of  the 
Prophet — this  child  when  scarcely  three  years  of  age 
shall  consecrate  herself,  body  and  soul,  to  God  in  the 
temple.  This  child,  as  the  virgin  spouse  of  St.  Joseph, 
shall  receive  the  Angel's  salutation,  and  become  the 
Mother  of  the  Son  of  God.  Being  Mother  to  the  Son 
of  God,  she  shall  nourish  and  nurse  Him,  live  with 
Him  for  thirty  years  under  the  same  roof,  shall  daily 
have  His  most  holy  example  before  her  eyes  ;  and, 
like  Him,  grow  in  age  and  wisdom  and  grace  before 
>  God  and  men.  She  shall  accompany  Him  on  His 
apostolic  journeys,  hear  His  divine  word,  and  witness 
all  the  wonders  that  He  will  work.  She  shall  hear  the 
cry  of  the  people  :  ''  Blessed  the  womb  that  bore  thee, 
and  the  paps  that  gave  thee  suck."  And  when  the 
hour  comes  in  which  He  will  end  the  sacrifice  of  re- 
demption on  the  cross,  this  child  shall  stand  at  the  foot 
of  the  Cross  as  Co-redemptrix,  and  there  she  shall 


SECOND    SERMON.  579 

hear  the  words  of  her  dying  Son :  Woman,  behold  thy 
Son! 

She  shall  remain  on  earth  in  the  midst  of  the  Apos- 
tles as  their  Queen,  and  as  protectress  of  the  Church, 
until  saints  of  every  rank  shall  have  preceded  her  to 
heaven,  and  be  ready  to  render  her  entry  glorious. 
This  child,  when  it  shall  have  shone  as  the  Mirror  of 
Justice  on  earth,  shall  be  taken,  body  and  soul,  glo- 
rified into  Heaven. 

Oh,  what  a  day  of  triumph  this  shall  be,  when  Christ 
shall  embrace  her  as  His  Mother,  lead  her  to  her 
throne,  where  she  remains  seated  forever,  and  enjoys 
the  bliss  and  glory  of  her  Divine  Son.  There  she  will 
entone  that  ''Mag7iificat''  which  once  on  earth  she 
sang  In  such  rapturous  tones  of  thanksgiving.  There 
she  will  be  our  intercessor  with  Christ,  recommend- 
ing to  Him  each  of  her  children,  and  showing  her- 
self the  Mother  of  grace  and  of  mercy,  the  refuge 
of  sinners,  the  consoler  of  the  afflicted,  the  restorer 
of  the  sick,  our  only  hope  after  Christ  our  Lord. 

The  whole  of  Christendom,  from  its  first  begin- 
ning, and  down  through  all  succeeding  ages,  honored 
our  Lady  under  all  these  titles.  How  many  are  the 
examples  and  witnesses  that  go  to  establish  grounds 
for  which  the  Church  greets  her  with  these  titles,  and 
that  prove  how  accurately  were  fulfilled  the  words  of 
the  Queen  of  Prophets:  ''From  henceforth  all  gen- 
erations shall  call  me  blessed !  '* 

Let  us  think  especially  of  the  many  shrines  erected 
in  her  honor  throughout  Christendom,  and  of  the  en- 


580    FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

thusiasm  with  which  CathoHcs  fifteen  hundred  years 
ago  received  the  decree  of  the  Council  of  Ephesus, 
declaring  that  Mary  is  the  Mother  of  God,  and  is  to  be 
honored  and  praised  and  venerated  as  such.  Coming 
to  our  own  days,  think  of  the  ever-memorable  year 
1854,  in  which  Pius  IX.  published  the  declaration  that 
Mary  was  conceived  without  stain,  exempt  from  the 
defilement  of  original  sin.  Then  it  was  that  the  ''JTe 
Deum"  resounded  over  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
earth.  Look  at  the  many  shrines  in  Europe,  where 
faith  has  fructified  for  nineteen  hundred  years.  There 
is  scarcely  a  province  in  which  Catholics  do  not  assem- 
ble at  some  shrine,  and  where  we  do  not  see  count- 
less memorials  kept  to  testify  that  Mary  has  proven 
herself  to  be  the  refuge  of  sinners,  the  restorer  of 
the  sick,  the  help  of  Christians.  But  still  more  im- 
pressive and  still  more  consoling  it  is  for  us,  her  chil- 
dren, to  glance  into  the  sanctuary  of  our  own  hearts, 
to  look  back  upon  our  life-long  pilgrimage,  and  to  see 
how  often  we  ourselves  have  experienced  our  dear 
Mother's  help  and  protection. 

Let  me  ask  the  sinner  :  "  Who  has  obtained  for  you 
the  grace  of  conversion?  '*  Oh,  it  is  Mary  !  I  cried  to 
her  for  help.  To  her  I  owe  this  grace.  And  who,  O 
grief-stricken  soul !  was  it  that  consoled  you  when  your 
father,  mother,  husband,  or  child  were  snatched  away 
from  you  by  death  ?  You  sought  relief  from  Mary. 
She  consoled  you.  And  to  whom  do  you  acknowledge 
your  thanks  for  the  recovery  from  this  or  that  sick- 
ness, for  the  rescue  from  this  or  that  dan2:er  ?    You 


SECOND    SERMON.  58 1 

took  refuge  to  Mary.  She  stood  by  you.  Who  is  It 
that  will  be  your  consolation  and  hope  on  your  death- 
bed ?    It  is  Mary,  the  Mother  of  a  happy  death. 

And  may  she  be  such  to  us  in  truth.  May  she,  by 
her  assistance,  complete,  even  unto  the  salvation  of 
our  souls,  the  work  of  grace  begun  in  us,  in  order  that 
we,  who  have  presented  our  hearty  congratulations 
at  her  cradle,  may  behold  her  throne  of  glory,  and  that 
when,  through  death,  we  shall  be  reborn  unto  life  eter- 
nal, departing  this  world  under  her  guidance  and  pro- 
tection, we  may  forever  share  her  happiness  in  heaven. 
Amen ! 


582      FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"Thy  birth,  O  Virgin  Mother  of  God,  has  given  joy  to  the  whole  world; 
because  of  thee  wa§  born  Christ,  the  Sun  of  Justice,  Who,  taking  away  the 
curse,  hath  brought  us  blessing,  and,  conquering  death,  hath  bestowed  on 
us  life  eternal." — Anthem  of  the  Holy  Church. 

^^q^HY  birth,  O  Virgin  Mother  of  God,  has  given 
1  joy  to  the  whole  world;  because  of  thee  was 
born  Christ,  the  Sun  of  Justice,  Who,  taking  away 
the  curse,  hath  brought  us  blessing,  and,  conquering 
death,  hath  bestowed  on  us  life  eternal."  . 

These  are  the  joyous  words  which  the  Church  uses 
at  the  Vespers  of  this  day  ;  and  these  words  form,  as 
it  were,  the  key-note  of  all  tl^e  prayers  and  hymns  with 
which  to-day's  liturgy  is  embellished. 

Had  Mary  been  the  daughter  of  the  greatest  ruler 
of  the  world,  think  you,  my  brethren,  that  we  would 
remember  her  to-day  ?  No  ;  long  since  her  memory 
would  have  passed  from  the  minds  of  men.  How  few 
are  the  daughters  of  great  princes  of  whose  birth 
even  mention  is  made  after  the  lapse  of  centuries ! 
Such  would  have  been  the  case  with  Mary,  the  royal 
child  of  the  family  of  David.  However,  she  brought 
forth  Christ,  the  promised  Messiah,  the  Saviour  of  the 
world,  the  God-man. 

Mothers  of  great  men,  of  men  that  have  done  great 
things  in  the  world,  are  praised  as  long  as  their  sons 
are  praised.  This  is  the  case  with  mothers  of  great 
rulers,  great  philosophers,  great  saints. 

Mary  was  to  take  part  in  the  work  of  redemption ; 


THIRD    SERMON.  583 

this  is  the  reason  why  the  faithful,  wherever  they  are 
found,  look  upon  Mary  with  so  great  a  devotion,  and 
reverence  and  hail  her  birth  as  the  harbinger  of  good 
tidings. 

Let  us,  then,  consider  to-day,  on  the  one  hand,  the 
curse  which  rested  on  mankind  since  the  fall  of  Ada^n  ; 
and,  on  the  other,  the  blessing  which  Christ  droughty 
and  in  which  Mary  took  part. 

0  Mary,  obtain  for  us  the  blessing  of  thy  holy  na- 
tivity, in  order  that  we  may  fulfill  the  duties  of  our 
state  of  life  as  redeemed  children  of  God ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God  ! 


Wishing  to  know  the  nature  of  the  curse  which 
weighed  down  mankind  since  the  fall  of  Adam,  we 
must  first  consider  man  before  the  fall,  in  his  origi- 
nal justice  and  happiness ;  and  then  we  must  ex- 
amine him  after  the  fall,  in  his  subjection  to  Satan  and 
misery. 

Adam  and  Eve,  our  first  parents,  awoke  in  para- 
dise, enriched  with  all  the  gifts  of  nature  and  grace  in 
order  to  begin  a  heavenly  life  even  on  earth.  Their 
reason  was  enlightened  with  so  much  knowledge  that 
our  minds  can  not  form  an  adequate  idea  of  it.  This  is 
proved  from  Holy  Writ. 

Through  sin  this  light,  this  knowledge,  was  lost  to 
mankind.  What  night,  thick  and  impenetrable,  even 
in  natural  things,  fell  upon  our  race !    Witness  the 


584      FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

savages,  the  cannibals,  and  see  how  among  them,  not 
only  the  knowledge  of  God  and  the  science  of  salva- 
tion, but  even  the  first  ideas  of  right  and  wrong,  have, 
in  regard  to  many,  almost  disappeared. 

Besides,  we  must  bear  in  mind  that  the  will  of  man 
has  been  very  much  weakened  as  regards  the  practice 
of  virtue.  The  heathens  adored,  and  even  yet  adore, 
their  very  vices.  What  did  they  gain  by  so  unreason- 
able a  manner  of  acting?  Anguish  of  heart,  height- 
ened to  despair,  urged  them  to  take  away  their  own 
life ! 

Again,  how  many  and  how  great  have  been  and 
are  the  cares  of  man  to  provide  for  his  bodily  suste- 
nance !  How  literally  has  the  curse  of  God  been 
fulfilled,  saying  to  Adam:  *'The  earth  shall  bring 
forth  thorns  and  thistles,  and  in  the  sweat  of  thy 
brow  thou  shalt  eat  thy  bread !  "  And  to  Eve:  ''I 
will  multiply  thy  sorrows,  and  in  sorrow  thou  shalt 
bring  forth  thy  children  ! " 

It  is  with  good  reason,  then,  that  we  call  this  earth, 
cursed  as  it  is  since  the  fall,  a  valley  of  tears.  A  great 
change,  however,  has  taken  place  since  the  coming  of 
Christ  for  all  those  that  have  faith  and  live  by  their 
faith.  Who  can  form  a  just  estimate  of  the  knowl- 
edge by  faith  concerning  eternal  truths  which  our  race 
acquired  through  the  coming  of  the  Saviour? 

Now  we  see  clearly  and  distinctly  the  way  which 
we  must  walk  ;  we  believe  truths  so  consoling  at  oiice, 
and  so  sublime,  that  even  Adam  himself,  in  his  primi- 
tive justice,  could*  not  have  imagined  so  much  con- 


THIRD    SERMON.      .  585 

descension  on  the  part  of  God,  and  so  much  eleva- 
tion on  the  part  of  man. 

Now  we  believe  that  God  has  become  man ;  we 
confess,  as  children  of  an  infallible  Church,  truths 
which  point  to  an  eternity — an  eternity  far  more 
blissful  than  we  could  have  expected  or  obtained 
had  Adam  not  listened  to  the  tempter. 

Again,  we  behold  in  the  light  of  faith  many  bless- 
ings bestowed  on  us  even  while  on  earth — graces  ob- 
tained by  prayer,  graces  obtained  through  the  inter- 
cession of  friends,  of  Angels,  and  Saints ;  but,  above 
all,  graces  obtained  through  the  Sacraments,  and  es- 
pecially through  the  Holy  Eucharist.  With  all  this  the 
Blessed  Virgin  is  most  intimately  connected. 

For  you  must  know  that  to  Mary  belongs  the  title 
of  Protectress  of  our  faith.  ''  Thou  alone,"  says  the 
Church  in  one  of  her  prayers  to  Mary,  ''  hast  con- 
quered all  heresies."  She  it  is  who  preserves  and  en- 
livens the  faith  in  the  hearts  of  the  true  children  of 
the  Church ;  she  it  is  who  incites  us  to  a  faith  made 
living  by  prayer  and  good  works. 

What  the  experience  of  ages  teaches  can  not  be 
called  in  question.  But  this  experience  teaches  us, 
that  in  proportion  as  the  devotion  of  nations  and  fami- 
lies and  individuals  to  Mary  is  increased,  in  the  same 
proportion  liveliness  of  faith,  true  piety  and  persever- 
ance in  good  works  are  increased. 

Through  the  curse  of  sin  our  will  has  become  weak ; 
but,  through  the  grace  of  Christ,  our  will  has  again  be- 
come strong. 


586      FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

The  grace  of  Christ  enables  us,  not  only  to  obey  the 
strict  law  of  God, — for  even  in  the  Old  Testament 
there  was  sufficient  grace  to  do  that, — but  also  to 
do  more:  To  walk  in  the  way  of  the  Evangelical 
Counsels,  and  thereby  live  the  life  of  angels,  though 
still  detained  in  our  houses  of  clay  here  on  earth. 

And  although  for  the  practice  of  this  sublime  de- 
gree of  perfection  extraordinary  graces  are  neces- 
sary, these  graces  are  not  wanting;  for  Mary  will  ob- 
tain them  for  her  children,  partly  through  her  inter- 
cession with  Christ,  and  partly  through  the  encour- 
agement in  virtue  which  the  example  of  her  life  gives 
to  the  faithful. 

And  these  extraordinary  graces  have  been  effica- 
cious with  millions  upon  millions!  By  how  far,  think 
you,  do  the  saints  nowadays  scattered  all  over  the 
earth  exceed  in  number  those  of  the  old  law?  Let 
us  recall  to  mind  the  lives  of  the  saints!  What  do 
we  find  in  them  ?  We  find  that  as  star  differeth  from 
star,  so  saint  from  saint.  Still  they  have  one  trait  in 
common.  All  cherished  a  special  devotion  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin.  The  same  may  be  said  of  those 
multitudes  of  faithful  whose  lives  and  virtues,  though 
hidden  and  unnoticed  of  the  world,  are,  nevertheless, 
conspicuous  for  an  ardent  devotion  to  the  Mother  of 
God.  All  Catholic  nations  and  countries  and  peoples 
bear  witness  to  what  I  say. 

Man  has  lost,  it  is  true,  the  paradise  of  pleasure 
and  delight ;  and,  in  its  place,  we  are  living  in  a  val- 
ley of  tears,  our  minds  are  surrounded  by  doubt  and 


THIRD    SERMON.  587 

ignorance,  and  our  hearts  are  pressed  down  by  an- 
guish, resdessness  and  sorrow.  But  Christ  has  turned 
this  our  night  of  sorrow  into  a  day  of  consolation.  How 
has  He  done  this?  By  redeeming  the  world  through 
His  sufferings  and  death.  For  now,  illumined  as  we 
are  by  faith,  we  know  and  confess  that  nothing  is  so 
well  calculated  to  increase  our  portion  of  heavenly 
glory  as  trials  and  sufferings  accepted  and  borne  with 
resignation  to  the  most  holy  will  of  God. 

But  Mary,  the  comforter  of  the  afflicted,  the  help 
of  Christians,  she  It  is  to  whom  we  have  recourse, 
especially  in  our  temporal  necessities,  in  order  that, 
through  her  intercession,  the  Lord  may  free  us  from 
them,  or  lessen  their  severity;  or  else,  that  He  may 
give  us  patience  to  bear  them  meritoriously.  The 
mere  name  of  Mary,  pronounced  with  confidence, 
acts  as  a  balm  upon  our  wounded  hearts,  and  im- 
parts a  certain  sweetness  to  our  very  sufferings.  That 
I  do  not  exaggerate,  I  appeal  to  the  experience  of 
every  Christian  soul  here  present  that,  in  days  of 
tribulation,  has  had  recourse  to  her. 

Again,  who  is  there  that,  contemplating  Mary,  the 
Queen  of  Martyrs,  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  does  not 
feel  in  himself  an  increase  of  patience  in  suffering, 
and  even  a  desire  to  kiss  the  hand  of  God  that  strikes 
him. 

However,  losses  in  the  natural  order  are  as  nothing 
when  compared  to  those  of  the  supernatural  order. 

Adam,  in  his  original  justice,  was  not  only  created 

to  the  image  and  likeness  of  God,  but  he  had  also 

38 


588      FEAST  OF  THE  NATIVITY  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

been  raised  to  divine  sonship — a  sonship  of  adoption, 
it  Is  true ;  but,  as  son — as  child  of  God — he  was  des- 
tined one  day  to  be  a  sharer  of  God's  own  beatitude. 

Sin  robbed  our  first  father,  and,  in  him,  ourselves, 
of  this  high  destiny,  of  this  God-like  elevation  of 
our  nature.  What  a  loss!  Yet,  again,  what  a  gain! 
Through  the  coming  of  Christ  this  divine  sonship  of 
adoption  has  been  recovered  by  us;  and,  what  is 
more,  the  natural,  only  Son  of  God  the  Father,  has 
become  a  Son  of  Adam,  of  David,  and,  consequently, 
He  has  become  our  Brother — an  honor  which  was  not 
given  to  the  Angels. 

Mary  is  the  chosen  Mother  of  tlie  new  law,  as  Eve 
had  been  of  the  old.  Mary  Is  the  Mother  of  all  men 
In  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  as  Eve  is  the  mother  of  all 
according  to  the  flesh. 

The  sin  of  Adam  brought  death  into  the  world,  and 
opened  the  gates  of  destruction  for  soul  and  body; 
Christ's  redemption  brought  life  for  the  soul  immedi- 
ately, and  for  the  body  on  the  day  of  the  glorious  re- 
surrection. Mary  has  preceded  us  to  heaven.  Soul 
and  body,  she  thrones  there  as  Queen  of  Angels  and 
Saints.    There  she  awaits  our  coming. 

Think  of  this,  child  of  the  Church,  and  rejoice  to- 
day, with  all  the  faithful,  at  the  birth  of  the  Redeem- 
er's Mother. — Amen! 


FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  ROSARY. 


I 


FIRST  SERMON. 

*'I  was  as  a  rose-plant." — Eccl.  xxiv,  i8. 

N  various  passages  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
we  find  prayer  compared  to  a  sweet  odor  rising  be- 
fore the  throne  of  God.  And  referring  to  the  faithful 
spouse  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  Sacred  Scripture  calls  her 
a  rose-plant.  This  appellation  recalls  to  our  mind  that 
method  by  which  we  frequently  invoke  and  honor  the 
blessed  Mother  of  God :  it  reminds  us  of  the  holy  Ro- 
sary. Every  Catholic  is  sufficiently  well  acquainted 
with  the  manner  in  which  this  beautiful  devotion  is 
performed. 

It  consists  in  this :  that  whilst  saying  the  Our  Fa- 
ther and  Hail  Mary,  we  meditate  on  the  mysteries  of 
our  holy  faith,  which,  if  duly  considered  and  dwelt 
upon,  will  draw  from  the  heart  the  sweet  odor  of 
pious  emotions. 

To-day  I  wish  to  speak  of  those  emotions  of  the 
soul  which  mostly  determine  the  efficacy  of  the  devo- 
tion of  the  holy  Rosary ;  of  the  emotions  which  ren- 
der prayer  agreeable  to  Mary,  acceptable  before  God, 

and  greatly  conducive  to  our  own  sanctification. 

(589^ 


590  FEAST   OF   THE    HOLY   ROSARY. 

If,  in  reciting  the  Rosary,  we  do  not  reflect  at  all, 
or  only  carelessly,  on  the  mysteries  of  our  holy  faith, 
we  may  be  assured  that  we  do  not  pray  except  with 
our  lips,  and  that  such  a  prayer  will  be  to  us  of  no  or 
of  but  little  avail.  And  yet,  of  all  prayers,  that  of  the 
Rosary  is  most  likely  to  degenerate  into  a  mere  "me- 
chanical recital  of  words,  on  account  of  the  constant 
repetition  of  the  same  forms.    # 

It  is  evident,  then,  that,  in  order  to  perform  this 
beautiful  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  well,  we  must 
occupy  our  mind  with  the  truths  of  our  holy  faith. 

Now,  the  mysteries  on  which  we  meditate  whilst  re- 
citing the  Rosary,  are,  according  to  the  events  which 
they  call  to  our  mind,  divided  into  xh^  joyful,  the  sor- 
rowfuly  and  the  glorious  mysteries. 

To-day  we  shall  consider  the  sweet-scenting  roses  of 
the  joyful  mysteries, 

0  Mary,  mystical  Rose,  as  Holy  Church  calleth 
thee,  would  that  as  often  as  we  perform  the  beautiful 
devotion  of  the  Rosary,  it  might  ascend  to  thy  heav- 
enly throne  as  a  perfumed  offering  of  thy  devoted  chil- 
dren ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


"The  Conception  by  the  Holy  Ghost."  This  Is  the 
first  event  pondered  over  in  commemorating  the  joy- 
ful mysteries.  These  words  refer  to  the  fundamental 
mystery  of  our  holy  faith  in  the  order  of  salvation  and 


FIRST    SERMON.  59 1 

redemption  of  mankind.  They  refer  to  the  Incarnation 
of  the  Son  of  God  in  the  womb  of  the  Virgin  Mary. 

The  emotions  of  the  soul  which  are  stirred  up  with- 
in us  and  ascend  towards  heaven  as  the  perfume  of 
roses,  at  the  mentioning  of  this  mystery,  are  those  of 
thankfulness  for  the  infinite  mercy  which  the  Almighty 
was  pleased  to  show  to  the  unhappy  race  of  Adam. 
Indeed,  it  was  an  act  of  mercy  which  was  shown  not 
even  to  the  Angels.  They  fell,  and  are  lost  forever. 
But  to  fallen  man  the  infinitely  merciful  God  stretched 
forth  His  saving  arm,  wishing  to  celebrate  in  the  sal- 
vation of  our  race  the  triumph  of  His  mercy. 

What  else  would  be  the  sentiments  of  our  souls,  at 
the  thought  of  such  marvelous  clemency,  but  those  of 
thanksgivifig?  But  at  the  same  time  we  must  not  for- 
get to  encourage  ourselves  to  lead  such  a  life  as  will 
entitle  us  to  participate  in  the  privileges  of  Redemp- 
tion. For  certainly  the  state  of  a  redeemed,  and  yet 
lost  soul,  would  be  much  more  miserable  than  that 
of  a  fallen  Angel,  to  whom  mercy  has  never  been  ex- 
tended. 

But,  in  order  to  secure  to  ourselves  the  merit  of 
Redemption,  let  us  be  close  imitators  of  the  virtues 
of  Mary.  Especially  let  us  imitate  her  profound  hu- 
mility and  her  unshaken  conformity  in  the  most  holy 
will  of  God,  so  beautifully  expressed  in  those  words 
addressed  by  her  to  the  angel  at  Nazareth  :  ''Behold 
the  handmaid  of  the  Lord ;  be  it  done  unto  me  ac- 
cording to  thy  word." 

Oh,  yes,  if  we  recite  the  first  decade  of  the  joyful 


592  FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  ROSARY. 

mysteries  In  sentiments  like  these ;  if  we  renew  the 
good  resolution  to  show  our  thankfulness  for  the  grace 
of  Redemption,  principally  by  living  a  pure  and  holy 
life,  and  wishing  that  nothing  but  the  will  of  God  may 
be  fulfilled  in  us,  then  surely  our  prayer  will  ascend  to 
the  throne  of  heaven  as  sweet  and  agreeable  as  the 
perfume  of  the  most  odoriferous  roses. 

*'  The  Visitatio7i  of  our  Lady  to  her  cousin  Eliza- 
beth." The  Visitation  of  Mary  bespeaks  her  active 
virtue  of  charity  towards  her  fellow-creatures.  And 
the  holy  emotions  that,  like  fragrant  roses,  will  spring 
up  in  our  souls  at  the  thought  of  Mary's  example  of 
charity,  will  be  the  resolutions  to  thank  God  for  the 
grace  of  Redemption  by  a  true  and  active  charity  to- 
ward our  neighbor. 

Though,  as  children  of  the  same  Adam,  we  are  al- 
ready brothers  and  sisters,  and  are  bound  to  contrib- 
ute to  each  other's  happiness,  yet  how  much  more 
urgent  has  not  this  duty  become  on  every  one  of  us 
since  the  Son  of  God  became  man  and  has  <:alled  ev- 
ery  man  His  brother !  How  much  more  are  we  not 
bound  to  live  in  harmony  and  peace  with  our  fellow- 
men,  now  that  we  are  destined  to  be  the  children  of 
the  same  Church  on  earth  and  to  enjoy  eternal  bliss 
together  in  heaven!  And  looking  up  to  Mary,  our 
resolution  of  a  mutual,  lively  charity  must  surely  be 
increased,  since,  through  Jesus  Christ,  she  has  be- 
come the  Eve  of  the  New  Testament,  and  thus  the 
spiritual  Mother  of  all  the  children  of  God. 

But,  in  order  to  fulfill  the  commandment  of  charity 


FIRST    SERMON.  593 

to  its  full  extent,  we  must  diligently  consider  those 
very  virtues  which  Mary  practised  when  visiting  Eliz- 
abeth. Mary,  namely,  though  she  was  at  that  time 
already  clothed  with  the  dignity  of  Mother  of  the  In- 
carnate Son  of  God,  hastened  to  Elizabeth  in  order  to 
perform  for  her  the  offices  of  a  servant.  She  has- 
tened, and  joyfully  overcame  the  difficulties  of  the 
road. 

Thus,  then,  according  to  the  example  of  Mary  we 
must  help  our  neighbor  in  the  spirit  of  self-sacrifice, 
speedily  and  lovingly ;  we  must  administer  to  his  bod- 
ily as  well  as  spiritual  wants. 

Mary  helps  her  cousin  Elizabeth,  and  John  is  deliv- 
ered by  the  very  presence  of  the  Mother  of  God,  from 
the  stain  of  original  sin,  and  sanctified  as  the  precur- 
sor of  the  coming  Messiah. 

Oh,  yes,  such  holy  emotions  of  fraternal  charity  rise 
up  to  heaven,  agreeable  to  God  as  the  perfume  of 
roses,  and  consoling  to  the  maternal  heart  of  Mary. 

'*  The  birth  of  our  Lord  in  the  stable  at  Bethle- 
hem." We  must  follow  Jesus  if  we  wish  to  live  as 
children  of  our  heavenly  Father,  in  charity  with  God 
and  man. 

"  Follow  Me."  In  these  words  Christ  addresses  Him- 
self to  every  human  soul.  The  virtues,  however,  which 
Christ  our  Model  wants  us  to  imitate,  are  those  which 
were  practised  by  him  as  a  child  in  the  manger. 

There  lies  the  Incarnate  Son  of  God,  annihilated  in 
the  guise  of  a  helpless  babe,  poor,  trembling,  and  sac- 
rificing Himself  for  the  Redemption  of  mankind. 


594  FEAST   OF   THE    HOLY  ROSARY. 

How  eloquently  does  not  this  example  speak  to  our 
soul !  If  you  wish  to  follow  Me,  the  God-Man  says  to 
us,  humble  yourselves  and  be  willing  to  receive  humil- 
iations, as  I  did  at  Bethlehem  when  rejected  from  the 
doors  of  its  inhabitants. 

Indeed,  without  humility  there  can  be  no  true  vir- 
tue, no  solid  foundation  of  piety,  no  increase  of  grace, 
no  certainty  of  salvation. 

If  you  wish  to  follow  Me,  look  at  Me  in  the  manger; 
there  I  lie,  poor  and  helpless.  Free,  then,  your  heart 
from  the  gross  cares  for  this  world,  from  the  harassing 
thoughts  of  riches  and  possessions.  "  Blessed  are  the 
poor  in  spirit."  Thus  the  divine  Child  speaks  to  us  by 
its  example  from  the  hard  bed  of  straw.  Be  not  solic- 
itous about  the  coming  day.  "  Give  us  this  day  our 
daily  bread."  Are  not  cares  for  riches  the  thorns  that 
choke  within  our  soul  the  divine  word  of  God  ? 

The  firm  determination  of  freeing  ourselves  from  all 
desires  after  earthly  riches,  will  surely  ascend  to  the 
throne  of  God  as  a  sweet  fragrance  of  spiritual  roses, 
whilst  the  harassing  cares  for  the  things  of  this  world 
will  hover  below  as  the  foul  odor  of  sin.  And  again, 
how  much  will  we  not  be  encouraged  by  a  glance  at 
the  Blessed  Virgin,  who  offered  up  for  herself  and  the 
Child  Jesus  the  offering  of  the  poor ! 

''The  offering  of  the  Infant  Jesus  in  the  temple." 
Such  a  life  is  indeed  a  victory  over  self,  and  insepara- 
ble from  the  spirit  of  sacrifice. 

If  we  are  animated  with  a  sincere  and  earnest  desire 
of  following  in  the  footsteps  of  Jesus,  we  must  deny 


FIRST    SERMON.  595 

ourselves,  take  the  cross  upon  our  shoulders,  and  place 
ourselves  with  eagerness  under  the  banner  of  the  holy 
cross — under  the  banner  of  Christ,  Who,  as  Simeon 
predicted,  shall  be  a  sign  of  contradiction  to  many. 

We  must,  furthermore,  sanctify  our  life  in  patience, 
and  purify  our  intentions  ever  more  and  more.  \ 

All  for  Jesus !  We  must  be  ready  to  accept  every 
thing  with  a  willing  heart,  in  union  with  the  divine 
heart  of  Jesus.  And  whatever  may  be  the  opinion  of 
the  world,  let  us  not  heed  it,  but  do  what  Jesus  de- 
sires us  to  do,  in  order  to  follow  His  divine  example. 

If  we  say  the  Rosary,  afi-imated  with  such  sentiments 
against  the  world  and  its  desires,  our  prayer  will  be 
as  blooming  roses  in  the  sight  of  the  Almighty.  Filled 
with  this  resolution  against  the  spirit  of  the  world, 
Mary  led  a  retired  life  at  Nazareth  till  Jesus  was  about 
to  accomplish  the  sacrifice  of  the  redemption  of  man- 
kind. For  then  she  came  forth,  but  only  to  place  her- 
self beneath  the  cross,  whence  alone  we  can  draw  sal- 
vation and  eternal  happiness. 

''^Yi^  finding  in  the  temple."  Though  a  soul  may 
determine  to  despise  the  maxims  of  the  world,  to  de- 
vote herself  to  the  service  of  God  and  to  follow  her 
Jesus,  still  the  time  may  and  will  come  when  she  will 
be  assailed  by  temptations  to  sin  and  lukewarmness. 
And  what  remains  to  be  done  if  she  should  have  the 
misfortune  of  yielding  to  sin,  and  thus  separating  her- 
self from  her  Spouse  ?  The  soul  must  return  in  sorrow 
and  repentance,  and  must,  moreover,  draw  good  from 
evil  by  determining  to  regain  lost  grace,  and  to  be 


59^  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY  ROSARY. 

more  watchful  in  future  against  the  snares  of  the  evil 
one. 

Here  the  roses  that  exhale  their  sweet  odor  before 
the  Most  High  are  the  sentiments  of  repentance  over 
our  shortcomings  and  imperfections,  and  particularly 
over  the  grievous  sins  which  we  may  have  committed 
during  the  past. 

Now,  concerning  contrition,  what  remarkable  things 
do  we  not  read  in  the  ''  Lives  of  the  Saints  "  !  Not  a 
few  of  them  led  a  life  of  the  most  rigorous  penance  for 
a  single  venial  sin  or  a  mere  imperfection.  Sorrow  for 
past  sins  will  be  particularly  salutary  for  the  soul,  as  it 
strengthens  the  foundation  of  all  virtues — humility — 
and  increases  patience,  a  virtue  so  necessary  for  final 
perseverance  in  the  service  of  the  Almighty. 

But,  that  in  truth  our  prayer  may  rise  up  to  God, 
agreeable  as  the  fragrance  of  roses,  we  must,  before 
beginning  the  prayer,  make  the  good  intentioA  of 
meditating  in  true  recollection  of  spirit  on  the  mys- 
teries prescribed. 

And  it  is  especially  to  the  devotion  of  the  Rosary 
that  the  admonition  of  the  Holy  Ghost  has  reference 
when  He  says  :  "  Before  prayer  prepare  thy  heart." 

Observe  well  this  counsel,  O  child  of  Mary,  and  the 
roses  that  will  spring  up  whilst  reciting  the  beads  will 
change  themselves  into  precious  gems  to  adorn  the 
crown  that  is  awaiting  you  in  heaven ! — Amen ! 


SECOND    SERMON.  597 


SECOND  SERMON. 

"According  to  the  multitude  of  my  sorrows  in  my  heart,  thy  comforts  have 
given  joy  to  my  soul." — Ps.  xciii,  19. 

IN  Holy  Writ  true  prayer  is  often  compared  to  a 
sweet  odor  or  fragrant  incense,  rising  before  the 
throne  of  the  Most  High.  But  this  comparison  holds 
good  only  for  prayer,  which  is  animated  with  senti- 
ments of  adoration  and  praise,  and  thanksgiving  and 
love. 

Now  the  prayer,  which  is  most  generally  said  by 
all  Catholics  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  in  whose 
commemoration  a  special  feast  has  been  instituted,  is 
that  of  the  holy  Rosary. 

Last  year  we  considered  together  with  what  senti- 
ments and  emotions  we  should  be  animated  when  re- 
flecting on  the  joyful  mysteries. 

And  we  found,  as  you  will  remember,  that  the  mys- 
teries of  this  part  of  the  Rosary  have  reference,  prin- 
cipally, to  the  maxims  of  the  Christian's  daily  life  in 
the  service  of  the  Almighty. 

But  this,  our  daily  life,  passed  in  sweet  and  peace- 
ful union  with  God,  is  often  interrupted  by  bitter  suf- 
ferings and  direful  adversities.  And  in  order  that  we 
may  bear  patiently  and  meritoriously  the  ills  of  life,  it 
will  not  suffice  only  to  contemplate  the  ordinary  life 
of  Christ,  but  we  must  also  often  turn  our  thoughts 
to  the  sacred  passion  and  death  of  our  divine  Re- 
deemer.    Such  salutary  thoughts  are  stirred  up  within 


59^  FEAST   OF   THE    HOLY    ROSARY. 

our  hearts  by  reciting  the  Rosary  and  meditating  on 
the  sorrowful  mysteries. 

There  is  nothing  more  meritorious,  and  nothing 
more  agreeable,  in  the  sight  of  God,  than  a  perfect 
resignation  to  His  will  in  times  of  adversity. 

Let  MS,  then,  consider  to-day  what  fragrant  roses  of 
pious  emotions  will  spring  up  in  our  hearts  while 
meditating  the  sorrowful  mysteries — roses  that  will  ex- 
hale their  sweet  odor  before  the  throne  of  fesus  and 
Mary] 

Mother  of  dolors,  would  that  every  pair  of  beads 
commemorating  the  sorrowful  mysteries,  were  to  thee 
a  bunch  of  roses  laden  with,  the  perfume  of  a  true  love 
of  the  cross  of  thy  Jesus! 

I  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God! 


*'The  sweating  of  blood."  The  particular  suffering 
of  our  Lord  which  excites  us  most  to  compassion,  is 
His  anguish  in  the.  garden  of  Olives. 

Every  soul  that  in  spirit  contempla^tes  Jesus  sweat- 
ing blood,  must  say  within  itself:  It  is  for  me  that 
Christ  sweats  blood,  through  fear  that,  notwithstand- 
ing His  passion,  to  which  He  subjected  Himself  for  me, 
I  might  yet  yield  to  temptation  and  perish.  I  say :  for 
me.  Jesus  came  down  upon  earth  for  the  redemption 
of  the  soul  of  every  man,  and  He  offered  up  His  suf- 
ferings for  each  particular  human  being,  as  though 
each  one  had  been  the  only  object  of  His  sufferings. 


SECOND    SERMON.  599 

Yes,  If  in  this  manner  we  consider  the  bitter  pas- 
sion of  our  Lord,  its  recollection  will  move  our  hearts 
most  effectually,  and  produce  in  it  corresponding- 
emotions  of  sorrow  and  repentance. 

Now,  whilst  recalling  the  bloody  sweat,  and,  in 
general,  the  mysteries  of  the  passion,  as  the  Rosary 
presents  them  to  our  mind,  it  is  highly  imporj:ant  and 
beneficial  to  contemplate,  in  spirit,  the  Redeemer  in 
His  sufferings,  that  our  heart  may  be  filled  with  com- 
passion, and  that  we  may  be  moved  to  ask  ourselves : 
O,  my  Jesus,  what  can  I  do  in  order  to  console 
Thee? 

According  to  St.  Luke,  Christ  fell  three  times  to 
the  ground.  He  grew  pale,  trembled,  and  prayed: 
*' Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  chalice  pass  from 
Me,"  and  the  blood  obzed  from  His  veins,  moistened 
His  garment,  and  flowed  upon  the  ground. 

What  a  sorrowful  sight  for  every  soul  that  loves 
Jesus! 

The  uppermost  thought  here  is  the  question: 
"What  was  it  that  afflicted  our  Lord  thus  unto 
death?"  Ah,  as  I  said  above,  it  was  the  thought  of 
the  innumerable  risks  and  dangers  to  which  our  final 
salvation  is  exposed,  and  which  may  render  fruitless 
for  us  His  passion  and  death. 

Console  the  Lord  by  your  promise  to  avoid,  as 
much  as  you  can,  every  occasion  of  sin,  and  to  make 
use  of  the  means  which  Holy  Church  offers  us  to 
overcome  every  temptation  as  soon  as  it  manifests 
itself 


600  FEAST   OF   THE    HOLY    ROSARY. 

Oh,  how  agreeable  will  not  such  resolutions  be  to 
the  sorrowful  heart  of  our  Lord  and  that  of  His 
blessed  Mother! 

But  you  must  prove  the  sincerity  of  this  your  in- 
tention by  adhering  faithfully  to  your  resolution,  es- 
pecially on  the  day  on  which  you  say  your  Rosary. 

"The  flagellation  at  the  pillar."  This  scene,  too,  in 
the  Passion  of  our  Lord,  is  very  apt  to  fill  our  hearts 
with  great  compassion. 

Contemplate  thy  Jesus,  and  see  how  He  is  lacer- 
ated to  the  very  bones;  how,  bathed  in  His  own 
blood.  He  falls  to  the  ground,  and  breaks  forth  in  the 
sorrowing  words  of  the  prophet:  "  I  am  a  worm,  and 
no  man."  Here,  again,  the  question  rises  within  our 
soul :  What  was  it,  O  Lord,  that  lacerated  thee  ?  The 
answer  is :  It  is  the  countless  number  of  sins  committed 
by  the  human  race.  What  a  countless  number  of  lashes 
had  He  to  suffer  from  them! 

Reflect  on  your  own  sins.  Who  could  count  all 
those  sins  of  thought,  word,  desire,  action,  and  omis- 
sion which  you  have  already  committed? 

And  what  shall  we  say  if  we  consider  how  many 
sins  are  committed  every  moment,  how  long  this 
wickedness  has  already  lasted,  and  how  long  it  may 
still  continue  ?  Console  the  Lord,  and  protest,  with  a 
firm  resolution,  that  henceforth  you  will  nevermore 
commit  a  deliberate  sin  ;  that  you  will  even  try,  with  all 
your  heart,  to  avoid  every  imperfection,  and,  more- 
over, hinder  others  as  much  as  possible  from  offending 
Him. 


SECOND     SERMON.  6oi 

And  you  will-  accomplish  this  latter  part  first  by 
giving  others  no  occasion  of  sin,  and,  secondly,  by 
using  every  opportunity  to  lead  heretics  and  infidels 
to  the  road  of  salvation,  the  Holy  Church  of  God. 
And  more  yet,  to  do  all  in  our  power  that  the  chil- 
dren of  the  Church  themselves  may  not  sin,  but  walk 
in  holiness  and  humility  before  the  Almighty. 

With  such  emotions  fill  your  heart  at  the  thought 
of  our  Lord's  flagellation,  and  the  sweetest  fragrance 
will  rise  from  these  roses  of  compassion  and  zeal  for 
souls,  a  consolation  to  the  divine  heart  of  Jesus  and 
the  sorrowful  heart  of  Mary. 

'•The  crowning  with  thorns."  Contemplate  in  spirit 
your  God  and  Lord  as  He  was  presented  by  Pilate 
to  the  Jews,  crowned  with  thorns,  clothed,  by  way  of 
mockery,  with  a  purple  garment,  and  bearing  a  reed 
in  His  hand.  Listen  to  the  cries  of  the  bloodthirsty 
crowd:  ''Crucify  Him;  crucify  Him."  Pity  your  de- 
rided Jesus. 

Christ  looks  at  the  people,  for  whom  He  has  done 
so  much  good;  He  looks  at  the  whole  human  race, 
whom  He  came  to  save,  and  He  feels  most  painfully 
the  insults  that  are  heaped  upon  Him  by  the  chil- 
dren of  His  Church.  He  is  particularly  afflicted  on 
account  of  the  inconstancy  of  those  who,  purified  by 
the  waters  of  baptism,  walked  for  a  time  in  the 
path  of  virtue,  but  fell  back  again  into  sin,  and  thus 
plunged  themselves  deeper  into  the  abyss  of  perdi- 
tion than  if  they  had  never  known  the  grace  of  Re- 
demption. 


602         FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  ROSARY. 

Console  the  Lord  by  your  protestations  that  you 
will  ever  lovirfgly  and  faithfully  confess  Him  before 
man,  without  being  misled  by  false  huma^i  respect. 
Certainly  such  a  resolution  is  of  *  the  greatest  utility^ 
especially  in  our  times,  when  all  the  efforts  of  the 
children  of  the  world  are  directed  to  the  destruction 
of  the  Church,  and  the  restoration  of  ancient  hea- 
thenism. 

Consoling,  indeed,  and  agreeable  as  the  fragrance 
of  roses  will  such  emotions  be  to  the  afflicted  hearts 
of  Jesus  and  Mary. 

''The  carrying  of  the  Cross."  Jesus  is  pressed  to 
the  ground  under  the  burden  of  the  Cross.  Consider 
with  what  an  ardent  love  for  us  the  Lord  embraced 
the  Cross,  which  was  ignominiously  laid  upon  him! 
He  falls  under  its  burden  a  first,  a  second,  and  a 
third  time,  until  Simon  of  Cyrene  lends  Him  his 
assistance,  and  carries  the  wood  of  salvation  to  Cal- 
vary. 

Christ  permits  all  this  in  order  to  admonish  us  that 
without  a  co-operation  on  our  part  His  Passion  will 
be  of  no  avail  to  us,  but  that  in  order  to  participate  in 
the  grace  of  Redemption  we  must  check  our  bad  pro- 
pensities and  firmly  resolve  to  bear,  patiently  and 
willingly,  the  hardships  of  life  for  the  love  of  Him. 
And  when  the  hour  of  tribulation  approaches  think 
of  Mary,  who,  when  meeting  her  divine  Son  loaded 
with  the  cross,  did  not  murmur,  but  pressed  Him  to 
her  heart,  In  perfect  conformity  to  the  most  holy  will 
of  God,   whose  wish  she  knew   it  was,  that   Christ 


SECOND    SERMON.  603 

should  thus  suffer  in  order  to  reconcile  the  human 
race  with  His  heavenly  Father. 

Protest,  before  Jesus,  that  you  will  unite  your  sen- 
timents of  confoj^mity  to  the  most  holy  will  of  God 
with  those  of  Mary,  and  that  you  will  be  ready  to 
bear,  willingly,  whatever  divine  Providence  may  send 
you  for  your  own  sanctification.  Oh,  how  few  per- 
sons there  are  w^ho  suffer  patiently  and  without  mur- 
muring against  the  providence  of  God !  And  for  this 
reason  sentiments  of  patience  and  perfect  resignation 
in  God's  most  holy  will  rise  up  to  the  Lord  and  His 
blessed  Mother,  with  the  dehcious  perfume  of  the 
queen  of  flowers. 

*' Crucifixion."  See  your  Jesus!  The  cross  is  ele- 
vated; His  wounds  gape;  the  sun  disappears  from 
the  heavens ;  the  earth  trembles ;  and  from  the  Cross 
Christ  speaketh  the  words:  "Father,  forgive  them." 
Every  one  of  His  words  has  reference  to  the  salvation 
and  sanctification  of  our  souls.  Consider  especially 
the  words :  '*  It  is  consummated !  " 

Console  the  heart  of  Jesus  by  protesting  that  you 
will  follow  Him,  with  fidelity,  to  the  end.  And,  in 
order  that  you  may  do  so,  turn  your  thoughts  to 
John  under  the  cross,  when  Jesus  s^id  to  him:  "  Be- 
hold thy  mother!"  And  she  stood  under  the  cross, 
her  heart  filled  with  compassion,  thanksgiving,  adora- 
tion, and  conformity  to  the  most  holy  will  of  God. 
Fall,  in  spirit,  at  the  feet  of  Mary,  and  make  the  prom- 
ise of  flying  to  her,  as  your  mother,  in  all  your  ne- 
cessities of  body  and  soul.   Try,  also,  to  inspire  others 

39 


604         FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  ROSARY. 

with  a  great  confidence  to  Mary.  If  we  thus  honor 
her,  she  will,  undoubtedly,  become  to  us  a  guaranty 
of  final  perseverance  In  the  state  of  grace. 

Such  sentiments  of  love  and  fidelity  will  certainly 
exhale  a  heavenly  fragrance  before  the  throne  of 
Jesus  and  Mary.  And  since  the  proverb,  *' Every 
day  brings  its  evils,"  is  but  too  true,  it  would  cer- 
tainly be  most  beneficial,  for  those  who  meditate  on 
the  sorrowful  mysteries,  to  renew  their  resolution 
and  show  themselves  particularly  patient  In  their  suf- 
ferings on  the  day  when  they  perform  this  beautiful 
devotion.  And,  in  order  that  they  may  succeed  so 
much  the  better  in  their  praiseworthy  endeavors,  let 
them  invoke  the  help  of  Mary,  saying:  O  Mary,  ob- 
tain for  me  the  grace,  that  when  the  sword  of  sorrow 
shall  pierce  my  soul,  I  may,  in  perfect  patience  and 
resignation,  like  thee,  follow  Jesus,  my  crucified  love. — 
Amen. 


THIRD   SERMON.  605 


THIRD  SERMON. 

"And  a  great  sign  appeared  in  heaven:   A  woman  clothed  with  the  sun, 
and  on  her  head  a  crown  of  stars." — Apoc.  xii,  i. 

THE  Lord  loveth  a  willing  heart.  This  disposition 
of  readiness  and  alacrity  in  the  service  of  God  is 
excited  within  our  souls  by  meditating  on  the  glorious 
mysteries  of  the  Rosary. 

He  who  serves  God  from-motives  of  fear  and  neces- 
sity, lacks  courage,  determination,  zeal,  and,  not  sel- 
dom, constancy. 

But  if  we  consider  the  mysteries  of  faith,  which  re- 
fer to  the  glorious  life  of  Christ  and  His  Blessed 
Mother,  we  shall  be  strengthened  and  encouraged  to 
suffer,  with  joy  and  patience,  whatever  our  holy  relig- 
ion may  require  of  us,  calling  to  mind  the  words  of 
St.  Paul:  ''  If  we  suffer  with  the  Lord,  we  shall  also 
be  glorified  with  Him." 

The  glorious  mysteries,  those  on  which  we  medi- 
tate when  reciting  the  third  part  of  the  Rosary,  are 
those  of  the  resurrection  of  our  Lord,  His  ascension 
into*  heaven,  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  as- 
sumption of  our  Blessed  Lady,  and  her  crowning  as 
Queen  of  heaven. 

And  now  with  regard  to  these  divine  truths,  we 
will  first  consider  the  events  themselves  which  faith 
places  before  our  mind,  and  then  reflect  on  the  emo- 
tions with  which  they  filled  the  heart  of  Mary  when 


6o6  FEAST    OF  .THE    HOLY    ROSARY. 

they  were  being  accomplished,  in  order  that  we  too 
may  be  animated  with  similar  thoughts  and  affections. 

And  we  should  strive,  moreover,  to  retain  these  pi- 
ous sentiments,  not  only  during  the  time  of  prayer,  but 
during  the  whole  course  of  our  life. 

We  shall  then  consider  to-day  the  glowing  roses 
which  will  bloom  in  our  heart,  when,  in  remembrance 
of  Jesus  and  Mary,  we  contemplatively  recite  the  Rosary 
of  the  glorious  mysteries. 

0  Mary,  crowned  Queen  of  heaven,  Mother  of 
Christ  and  our  Mother,  fill  our  hearts  with  an  ardent 
desire  of  being  united  to  Thee  in  heaven,  in  order 
that  we  may  live  on  earth  in  a  manner  becoming  the 
children  of  so  glorious  a  Mdther  ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God  ! 


''The  resurrection  from  the  dead."  What  an  en- 
couraging, what  a  glorious  sight !  Christ  risiiig  from 
the  tomb  on  Easter-morning,  surrounded  by  myriads 
of  holy  angels,  and  an  infinite  number  of  souls,  that 
in  the  course  of  four  thousand  years  have  sanctified 
and  saved  themselves  through  hope  in  the  corning 
Messiah,  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 

Mary  was  the  first,  as  tradition  relates,  to  whom 
Christ  appeared  after  His  resurrection  from  the  dead. 
What  a  heavenly  joy  must  it  have  been  for  the  heart 
of  Mary  to  see  Jesus,  Whom  she  had  so  bitterly 
bewailed,  once  more  among  the  living!     With  what 


THIRD    SERMON.  607 

an  ardent  love  must  she  have  pressed  Him  to  her  ma- 
ternal heart ! 

The  fruit  which  we  ought  to  reap  from  the  consid- 
eration of  this  divine  mystery  is, — a  great  increase  of 
faith.  For  as  St.  Paul  says  :  ''  Christ  is  risen,  He  lives, 
and,  therefore,  all  His  teachings  are  true."  Christ  is 
risen !  Like  Him,  our  prototype,  we  too  shall  rise, 
with  a  glorified  body,  radiant  as  the  sun,  moving  with 
the  ease  and  swiftness  of  thought  beyond  the  reach 
of  suffering  and  death. 

But  we  must  also  live  in  a  manner  becoming  men, 
that  profess  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  Christ.  And 
like  Jesus  we  must  preserve  our  heart  unsullied  from 
sin,  putting  off  the  old  man,  and  clothing  ourselves 
with  the  new.  In  order  to  succeed  the  better  in  these, 
our  pious  endeavors,  let  us  often  turn  our  thought  to- 
wards Mary,  the  most  faithful  follower  of  Jesus,  who 
was  left  upon  earth  by  her  divine  Son,  that  she  might 
be  a  Mirror  of  Justice  to  the  Apostles  and  the  prim- 
itive Christians,  as  well  as  to  all  those  who,  in  the 
course  of  time,  might  be  united  with  them  in  the  one 
Holy  Church  of  God. 

Happy  those,  O  Mary,  who  saw  thee  upon  earth 
with  the  eyes  of  their  body ;  but  happy  also  those  who 
in  spirit  look  up  to  thee  as  their  example,  and  imi- 
tate thy  virtues ! 

Oh,  how  much  does  not  the  life  of  a  true  child  of 
Mary  contribute  to  the  edification  and  sanctification 
of  others ! 

"The  ascension   into  heaven."    Let   us  repair    in 


6o8  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ROSARY. 

Spirit  to  Mount  Olivet.  How  touching  the  farewell 
scene  which  we  there  behold  :  The  Apostles  and  dis- 
ciples of  the  Lord  throw  themselves  at  His  feet,  in 
order  to  receive  their  Master's  blessing  before  He 
goes  to  the  Father.  But  what  must  have  been  the 
feelings  of  Mary,  when  Jesus  embraced  her  before 
His  ascension  into  heaven,  where  she  was  soon  to 
meet  Him  and  be  united  with  Him  for  all  eternity ! 

Throw  yourself  in  spirit  at  the  feet  of  Jesus  and  beg 
His  blessing,  in  order  that  you  too  may  follow  Him 
one  day  into  life  everlasting,  and  occupy  that  throne 
which  He  has  prepared  for  you  in  heaven.  The  con- 
stant remembrance  of  the  Ascension  of  our  Lord 
should  excite  in  every  Catholic  a  longing  desire  to 
follow  Him  soon. 

Oh,  what  a  precious  fragrance  such  emotions  ex- 
hale before  the  Lord,  in  a  world  filled  with  the  foul 
odor  of  malice  and  sin  ! 

"Lift  up  your  heart  to  the  Lord!  "  thus  the  priest 
at  the  altar  admonishes  us  in  the  words  of  St.  Paul. 
If  you  are  risen  with  Christ,  desire  the  things  that  are 
from  above.  For  the  difference  between  the  children 
of  the  world  and  those  of  God  consists  in  this :  that 
the  former  never  think  of  heaven,  whilst  the  latter  de- 
sire  it  most  ardently,  saying  with  St.  Paul : 

*'I  long  to  be  dissolved  and  to  be  with  Christ." 
This  great  longijig  for  heaven  should  excite  in  us  the 
resolution  of  often  visiting  our  divine  Redeemer  in 
the  Most  Blessed  Sacrament  of  the  altar.  For  there 
Christ  is  yet  present  as  truly  and  really  as  He  is  in 


THIRD    SERMON.  609 

heaven,  and  as  He  was  on  earth  with  Mary  in  her 
house  at  Nazareth,  and  as,  after  His  ascension,  he  re- 
mained with  her  under  the  sacramental  species,  which, 
as  we  are  informed  by  private  revelations  of  saints, 
were  never  consumed  in  Mary  from  one  Communion 
to  another. 

A  close  union  with  Christ  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacra- 
ment of  the  altar,  animated  by  an  ardent  desire  of 
paying  Him  frequent  visits,  of  often  assisting  at  the 
holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  and  especially  of  frequently 
and  worthily  receiving  Him  in  Holy  Communion,  char- 
acterizes the  true  child  of  Mary. 

These  are  the  thoughts  which  should  occupy  our 
mind  when  meditating  on  the  second  glorious  mys- 
tery. And  if  we  consider  that,  notwithstanding  His 
Ascension,  our  Lord  is  yet  upon  earth,  let  us  say  to 
ourselves  :  What  a  happiness  to  be  a  child  of  the  true 
Church,  and  to  be  so  near  to  our  Saviour ! 

Hail  to  you,  child  of  Mary,  if  your  heart  gives  tes- 
timony that  you  live  solely  for  Christ  in  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament! 

You  may,  in  this  case,  with  peace  and  confidence 
await  the  second  coming  of  the  Lord — His  coming  as 
Judge — which  was  foretold  to  the  disciples  on  Mount 
Olivet  by  the  Angels:  "This  Jesus,  Whom  you  have 
seen  ascending  Into  heaven,  shall  come  again."  And 
you  may  even  now  know  your  sentence  from  those 
words  spoken  by  Christ:  "He  that  eateth  My  flesh 
and  drinketh  My  blood  abides  in  Me  and  I  in  him/* 
and :  "  He  that  eateth  this  bread  shall  live  forever." 


6lO  FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  ROSARY. 

Such  emotions  of  love  towards  Jesus  will  send  forth 
a  fragrance  that  shall  pervade  our  whole  life,  and 
which  St.  Paul,  speaking  of  the  faithful  followers  of 
the  Saviour,  calls  the  sweet  odor  of  Christ. 

"  The  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  Christ,  as  St. 
John  tells  us,  sent  the  Holy  Ghost  not  to  remain  with 
His  Apostles  only,  but  also  with  all  those  who  would 
believe  in  Him  to  the  end  of  time.  As  often  as  you 
meditate  on  this  glorious  mystery  look  up  to  Mary, 
surrounded  by  the  Apostles  and  first  disciples  of 
Christ.  Contemplate  her,  the  Spouse  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  consider  how  abundantly  the  divine  Spirit 
poured  forth  His  seven  gifts  into  her  soul.  Ask  of  our 
good  Mother,  that  she  may  obtain  for  you  a  great  in- 
crease of  the  seven  gifts  of  the  Paraclete. 

Just  as  these  heavenly  gifts  render  the  Christian 
an  active  member  of  the  Church  militant,  and  inspire 
him  with  fidelity  and  courage  to  give  testimony  to  his 
holy  faith  in  life  and  death,  so  do  they  likewise  des- 
ignate the  true  child  of  Mary. 

The  true  child  of  Mary  is  filled  with  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  and  the  fear  of  sin  ;  it  flees  from  temptations  and 
conquers  them,  receives  often  the  Sacrament  of  Pen- 
ance, and  is  not  influenced  by  human  respect. 

The  true  child  of  Mary  loves  prayer ;  often  fortifies 
itself  with  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  altar,  and 
celebrates  with  devotion  the  feasts  of  the  Church. 

The  true  child  of  Mary  endeavors  to  grow  in  the 
science  of  the  saints,  cares  for  the  one  thing  neces- 


THIRD    SERMON.  6  I  I 

sary,  the  salvation  of  its  soul,  and  is  always  ready  to 
assist  others  with  good  counsel. 

The  true  child  of  Mary  shows  itself,  for  the  love  of 
Jesus  and  Mary,  courageous  and  submissive  in  times 
of  adversity,  judges  the  world  in  the  light  of  faith,  and 
tries  to  employ  every  moment  in  the  work  of  its  eter- 
nal salvation.  The  dutiful  servant  of  the  blessed 
Mother  of  God  prays  often  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  He 
may  fill  his  heart  ever  more  and  more  with  holy  inten- 
tions and  desires. 

Oh,  what  a  fragrance  of  holy  thoughts  pervades  the 
souls  of  the  children  of  Mary ! 

''The  assumption  of  our  Lady  into  heaven."  Who 
could  meditate  upon  this  mystery  without  wishi-ng 
soon  to  enter  heaven,  and  enjoying  forever  the  pres- 
ence of  the  blessed  Mother  of  our  Redeemer  ?  But  the 
question  whether  you  will  go  to  the  abode  of  the 
blessed,  will  be  decided  by  the  sanctity  of  your  life, 
and  your  constancy  in  the  service  of  God.  Now,  the 
surest  pledge  for  such  a  perseverance  is,  according  to 
the  holy  fathers  and  doctors  of  the 'Church,  a  genuine 
devotion  to  the  blessed  Virgin. 

Child  of  Mary,  profess  openly  your  allegiance  to 
her,  that  at  the  end  of  your  life  she  may  assist  you 
with  a  mother's  care. 

"■  The  coronation  of  our  Lady  in  heaven."  Contem- 
plate Mary  sitting  on  her  throne  in  heaven.  St.  John 
once  had  a  vision,  in  which  he  saw  Christ  in  heaven, 
adorned  with  precious  diadems.  Now,  every  one  of 
these  ensignia  of  royalty  is  also  borne  by  Mary,  the 


6l2  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ROSARY. 

Queen  of  heaven.  Rejoice,  then,  O  child  of  Mary!  for 
one  day,  and  perhaps  soon,  will  you  not  only  see  her 
in  all  her  glory,  but  also  participate  in  her  splendor 
forever. 

What  a  canticle  of  joy  will  your  soul  entone  before 
the  throne  of  Mary,  as  soon  as  you  will  comprehend 
with  what  maternal  solicitude  the  Queen  of  heaven 
watched  over  you,  lest  you  might  forfeit  the  heir- 
loom of  a  blissful  eternity,  and  be  separated  from  her 
forever. 

After  these  holy  considerations  renew  the  resolu- 
tion of  devoting  yourself  entirely  to  her  honor,  love, 
and  imitation  upon  earth,  and  of  gaining  over  as  many 
hearts  as  possible  to  her  honor  and  veneration. 

Such  holy  emotions  and  desires,  excited  in  a  child 
of  Mary  by  meditation  on  the  glorious  mysteries,  will 
rise  towards  heaven  agreeable  as  the  fragrance  of 
roses,  to  the  greater  glory  of  God,  and  to  the  greater 
honor  of  Mary,  our  blessed,  glorious  Mother.    Amen  ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  ANGELS. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

*'  Behold,  I  will  send  My  angel,  who  shall  go  before  thee  ;  take  notice  of 
him,  and  hear  his  voice." — Ex.  xxiii. 

TO-DAY  we  celebrate  the  Feast  of  our  Guardian 
Angels — a  solemnity  which,  as  your  own  joyous 
sentiments  testify,  is  especially  dear  to  the  heart  of 
every  faithful  Christian.  And  how  can  it  be  other- 
wise, since  the  occasion  reminds  us  of  the  great  bene- 
fits bestowed  upon  us  by  the  Almighty,  in  giving  to 
each  one  a  watchful  Angel  to  be  the  companion  of  his 
life,  thus  exhibiting  a  providence  so  loving  as  to  ex- 
tend at  once  over  our  eternal  and  our  temporal  well- 
fare  ? 

The  interest  of  this  festival  is  heightened  by  the 
circumstance  that  our  veneration  is  not  offered  to  be- 
ings who,  like  the  Saints,  pass  their  happy  existence 
in  far  remote  regions;  but  that  our  homage  is  ten- 
dered- to  creatures  that  ever  linger  near  us,  accom- 
pany us,  watch  over  us,  protect  us,  and  conduct  us 
safely  by  the  hand  toward  our  eternal  and  blissful 
home. 

The  heavenly  spirit  that  thus  accomplishes  God's 

(613) 


6 14  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ANGELS. 

grand  design  in  our  regard  we  call  the  Guardian  An- 
gel ;  and  St.  Jerome,  at  the  sight  of  this  wonderful  dis- 
play of  God's  goodness,  cries  out:  *'0  what  a  great 
dignity  it  is  for  a  man  ever  to  be  protected  and 
guided  by  an  Angel!  " 

It  is,  then,  the  duty  of  the  Guardian  Angels  to 
spread  their  sheltering  wings  over  their  charges — a 
duty  which  they  fulfill  with  the  greatest  exactness  and 
fidelity.  But  what  reciprocal  service,  dear  Christians, 
should  we  proffer  to  our  Guardian  Angels  for  their 
solicitous  care?  Is  it  not  but  just  that  we  should,  as 
we  are  told  in  the  above  text,  imitate  the  inestimable 
qualities  that  shine  forth  in  the  nature  of  these  celes- 
tial spirits? 

As  St.  Paul  addresses  to  the  children  of  the  Church 
these  words:  ''  Be  ye  imitators  of  me,  as  I  am  of  Jesus 
Christ,"  so  the  Guardian  Angels  appeal  to  their  trusted 
friends  with  the  entreaty:  ''Would  ye  have  life?  then 
be  ye  imitators  of  me,  as  I  am  a  bright  copy  of  St. 
Michael,  the  mirror  of  the  Almighty." 

Let  MS,  then,  dear  Christians,  contemplate,  in  to-day's 
sermon,  the  heave7ily  virtues  of  our  Guardian  Angels 
with  a  view  of  ingrafting  them  on  our  souls. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  Angels,  be  thou  our  advocate 
before  the  throne  of  God,  Imploring  for  us  the"  grace 
to  fulfill  His  will  on  earth  with  the  same  fidelity  as  the 
Angels  do  in  heaven ! 

1  address  you  In  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


FIRST    SERMON,  615 

If  we  are  desirous  M:o  become  true  followers  of  our 
Guardian  Angels,  we  must  commence  at  once  to  re- 
form our  lives ;  and  we  must  endeavor  most  strenuously 
to  render  our  conduct  similar  to  theirs,  in  accordance 
with  the  express  command  of  Jesus  Christ :  *'  Thy  will 
be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven." 

Now,  in  examining  the  heavenly  properties  of  the 
Angels,  we  are  most  forcibly  struck  by  one  character- 
istic mark  of  theirs,  which,  to  imitate,  ought  to  be  our 
first,  our  special  aim.  I  mean  their  entire  freedom  from 
sin. 

It  is  this  spotless  purity  of  soul  which  confers  on 
these  blessed  spirits  their  title  of  good  Angels;  it  is 
this  excellence  that  confers  on  them  the  honor  of  be- 
ing our  guardians. 

Yes,  the  Angels  are  without  sin;  for,  hardly  had 
Lucifer  and  his  followers  yielded  to  that  first  and  only 
thought  of  pride — a  thought  not  even  carried  into  ex- 
ecution— but  they  were  hurled  into  the  abyss  of  hell, 
and  at  once  changed  from  Angels  into  demons. 

Hence,  you  can  imagine  with  what  horror  the  An- 
gels look  upon  sin !  They  stand  constantly  before  the 
throne  of  God,  where,  gazing  upon  His  holy  counte- 
nance, they  draw  from  it,  in  deep  draughts,  their  burn- 
ing love  and  profound  knowledge;  and,  since  the 
detestation  of  sin  is  proportionate  to  one's  love  and 
knowledge  of  God,  we  can  form  an  idea  of  the  inten- 
sity with  which  the  Angels  must  hate  every  outrage 
offered  to  the  Almighty. 

Hence,  too,  it  is  easy  to  understand  why  the  Angels 


6l6  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ANGELS. 

make  it  their  first  and  principal  concern  to  avert  every 
temptation  from  the  souls  confided  to  their  charge ;  or, 
to  enable  them  to  escape  unharmed  when  they  see  them 
beset  by  like  dangers.  Such  is  the  anxious  solicitude 
of  the  Guardian  Angels  in  your  regard. 

But  how  do  you  requite  this  kindness  ?  Do  you  not 
still  continue  to  heap  ^in  upon  sin?  If  so,  then  woe  to 
you,  for  the  abominable  sight  has  filled  your  good  An- 
gel with  horror,  and  driven  him  far  from  your  side ! 
With  horror  and  loathing  he  frowns  upon  you !  He 
sees  you  transformed,  by  the  defilement  of  sin,  from  a 
child  of  God  into  a  menial  of  Satan.  He  beholds  you 
become  like  the  very  demons  themselves,  by  destroy- 
ing the  temple  of  God  within  you,  and  erecting  in  its 
stead  an  abode  for  the  evil  spirits. 

If,  then,  we  desire  to  imitate  our  Guardian  Angels, 
by  depicting  their  virtues  on  our  hearts,  let  us  pre- 
serve our  consciences  pure  from  all  stain  of  sin.  Let 
us,  furthermore,,  beseech  them  to  warn  us  of  the  ap- 
proach of  temptation ;  and,  should  God,  for  our  greater 
purification,  permit  the  tempter  to  assail  us,  let  us  fiy 
at  once  under  their  protecting  wings,  entreating  them 
to  aid  us  in  resisting  the  Evil  One  with  promptness 
and  with  that  entirely  determined  will  with  which  they 
themselves  have  defeated  the  devil. 

However,  should  we  have  the  misfortune  to  be  de- 
feated by  Satan,  O  let  us  implore  our  good  Guardian 
Angel,  in  all  humility,  to  obtain  for  us  the  grace  of 
eliciting  tvu^  ^  contrition ,  and  of  reconciling  ourselves 
to  God  by  a  good  confession. 


FIRST    SERMON.  6l  7 

Then  will  that  benevolent  spirit  rejoicingly  draw 
near  us  again,  and  stretch  out  to  us  his  guiding  hand. 

But  the  Angels  are  not  only  free  from  all  sin,  but 
they  are  also  the  external  reflex  of  God's  perfec- 
tions. 

According  to  the  degree  of  divine  splendor  which 
beautifies  their  nature,  they  are  distinguished  into  va- 
rious choirs  or  orders,  one  ascending  above  another,  un- 
til the  bright  series  is  crowned  with  those  most  perfect 
of  God's  creatures — those  Angels  of  Love,  the  Ser- 
aphim, and  the  seven  heavenly  Princes,  led  on  by  St. 
Michael  the  Archangel. 

In  fact,  oh,  what  a  wonderful  amount  of  accidental 
glory  does  accrue  to  God  from  the  innumerable  Choirs 
of  Angels!  And  why  do  we  not  also  strive,  to  the 
best  of  our  power,  to  glorify  God  externally,  evincing 
ourselves,  as  St.  Paul  says,  the  followers  of  God  by 
daily  increase  in  the  practice  of  solid  virtue. 

Now,  God  is  every-where.  He  is  infinite  Power, 
Wisdom,  and  Goodness.  He  is  replenished  with  in- 
finite Holiness,  Mercy,  and  Clemency.  He  is  infinite 
Majesty,  Love,  and  Beatitude. 

All  these  attributes  of  God  demand  of  us  the  prac- 
tice of  certain  corresponding  virtues,  by  which  we  are 
required  to  make  daily  progress  in  the  knowledge  of 
God ;  to  place  implicit  confidence  in  His  decrees,  and 
resign  our  wills  totally  into  His  hands  ;  to  glorify  His 
holiness,  by  exhibiting  a  holy  desire  and  thirst  after 
perfection ;  to  carry  our  cross  with  patience  and  with- 
out murmuring,  never  wavering  in  our  fidelity,  nor 


6l8  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ANGELS. 

wandering  about  in  fear  and  trembling  on  account  of 
the  frequency  of  His  unexpected  chastisements. 

But,  above  all,  we  must,  according  to  the  example 
of  the  Angels,  make  good  these  sentiments  of  our 
hearts  by  an  ardent  zeal  to  know  and  fulfill  the  most 
sacred  will  of  God,  showing  it  principally  in  a  faithful 
fulfillment  of  the  duties  of  our  state. 

If  our  life  be  such,  there  is  no  doubt  but  we  shall 
approach  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  perfection  of  the 
Angels. 

Nay,  divines  affirm  that  some  of  God's  Saints  have 
equaled,  nay,  even  surpassed  the  holiness  of  some  of 
the  Angels ;  so  perfectly  did  they  accomplish  His  ador- 
able will. 

This  truth  will  strike  you  still  more  forcibly,  if  you 
consider  the  consoling  words  which  our  Lord  on  one 
occasion  addressed  to  St.  Gertrude,  who  had  been 
thus  bewailing  her  miseries:  "Oh,  wretched  me  !  how 
can  the  earth  any  longer  bear  so  despicable  a  creat- 
ure?" To  which  our  Lord  promptly  rejoined :  ''Ger- 
trude, all  the  Angels  yearn  for  the  moment  when  thou 
shalt  make  thy  entrance  into  heaven,  to  be  one  of 
their  company,  to  participate  in  their  love  and  beati- 
tude. They  are  astounded  at  the  sight  of  thy  per- 
fection!  " 

After  this  there  will  be  no  need  of  dwelling  at  length 
on  the  elevation  to  which  Mary,  the  Queen  of  Angels, 
has  been  raised,  and  sits  enthroned  in  glory,  far  above 
even  tfee  loftiest  of  the  angelic  spirits. 

Now,  the  question  may  be  asked :  What  means  and 


FIRST   SERMON.  619 

practices  are  the  most  efficacious  in  enabling  us  to  lead 
a  life  conformable  to  that  of  the  Angels  ?  To  answer 
this  question,  let  us  fix  our  gaze  on  the  bright  model 
we  have  in  our  Guardian  Angel.  This  heavenly  guide 
is  one  of  the  good  Angels ;  and  he  is  such  by  virtue 
of  that  determination^  that  unshaken  firmness,  with 
which  he  re-echoes  the  war-cry  uttered  by  St.  Michael 
the  Archangel :  ''  Who  is  like  unto  Godf  This  watch- 
word resounded  from  the  lips  of  the  good  Angels  dur- 
ing their  strife  against  Lucifer,  and  edged  the  swords 
with  which  they  struck  down  that  proud  rebel  and  his 
retinue  and  thrust  them  into  hell. 

"  Peace  on  earth  to  men  who  are  of  good  and  de- 
termined will,"  said  the  Angels  at  the  birth  of  our  Lord. 
**If  thou  wilty  says  our  Saviour  Himself,  **thou  canst 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  But  in  this  sin- 
cere, firm,  unshaken  will  men  are  often  deficient ;  and 
hence  so  many,  by  the  abuse  of  their  free  will,  are 
doomed  to  eternal  perdition.  Wavering  between  vir- 
tue and  vice,  they  will  and  will  not.  They  say:  ''I 
desire  to  do  good;"  but  they  lack  the  strength  to 
declare:  "Yes,  certainly,  I  will;  I  am  determined." 

If  this  resolute  determination  had  struck  deep  roots 
in  our  soul,  how  many  occasions  of  sin  would  not  be 
avoided !  If  we  were  to  meet  every  temptation  with 
a  firm.  No,  no !  how  powerless,  how  despicable  would 
it  not  become ! 

But,  alas !  men  only  too  often  resemble  our  Lord's 

executioners,  who,  on    Palm    Sunday,  hailed  Him  in 

the  streets  of  Jerusalem,  singing:  "  Hosannah  to  the 
40 


620  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ANGELS. 

son  of  David ;  "  and,  on  the  Friday  following,  pro- 
nounced sentence  of  death,  crying  out:  ''Crucify 
Him!  away  with  Him!" 

Do  you,  however,  dear  Christians,  take  a  firm  reso- 
lution to  deliver  yourselves  up  wholly  and  entirely  to 
His  adorable  will! 

Let  us  observe,  further,  that  the  Angels  look  con- 
stantly upon  the  face  of  the  Most  High.  Why,  I  ask 
you,  is  it  that  we  often  grow  remiss  in  our  attachment 
to  God  ?  It  is  because  the  remembrance  of  God  be- 
comes effaced;  it  is  because  we  no  longer  walk  in  His 
presence;  it  is  because  we  view  our  present  condition, 
not  from  a  heavenly,  but  from  a  worldly  standpoint. 
Were  we  but  to  abandon  this  perverse  manner  of 
passing  judgment  on  things,  how  steadfastly  we  should 
pursue  the  path  to  salvation  ! 

Another  quality  of  the  Angels  is  the  ardor  with 
which  they  worship  the  Deity.  Their  "holy,  holy, 
holy,"  resounds  constantly  through  the  heavenly  Je- 
rusalem before  the  throne  of  God. 

If  we  desire  to  resemble  the  Angels  also  in  this 
respect,  we  must,  as  our  Lord  demands,  acquire  the 
habit  of  constant  prayer,  i.  e.,  we  must  persevere  in 
the  holy  practice  until  it  appears  to  us  no  longer  a 
burdensome  duty,  but  a  sweet  necessity  of  our  heart. 
When  we  have  reached  that  point,  we  need  no  longer 
be  in  dread  as  to  the  good  state  of  our  soul ;  for  then 
the  promise  of  Christ  will  be  fulfilled  in  us:  "  Where 
two  of  three  are  together  in  My  Name,  I  am  in  the 
midst  of  them." 


FIRST   SERMON.  621 

These,  beloved  Christians,  are  some  of  the  charac- 
teristic marks  which  signalize  our  Angel  Guardians. 
Let  us,  then,  endeavor  to  imitate  these  bright  models. 
If  we  do  so,  we  may  rest  assured  that  the  same  Angel 
who  extended  his  protection  over  us  during  life,  and 
whose  heavenly  qualities  we  strove  to  engrave  on  our 
souls,  will,  at  our  death,  conduct  us  before  the  judg- 
ment-seat, and  bid  us  enter  into  the  joys  of  the  Lord, 
to  partake,  in  His  society,  of  the  glory  and  bliss  of 
eternal  life. — Amen ! 


622  FEAST   OF   THE    HOLY    ANGELS. 


SECOND   SERMON. 

"For  He  hath  given  His  angels  charge  over  thee,  to  keep  thee  in  all  thy 
M^ays.  In  their  hands  they  shall  bear  thee  up;  lest  thou  dash  thy  foot 
against  a  stone." — Ps.  xc. 

ON  the  feast  of  the  Archangel  Raphael,  the  Church 
prays:  ''O  God,  Who  hast  given  the  Archangel 
Raphael  as  a  companion  to  Tobias,  grant  that  we. 
Thy  servants,  may  be  strengthened  by  his  assist- 
ance and  helped  by  his  protection." 

The  desire  to  which  the  Church  gives  expression 
in  these  words,  finds  its  fulfillment  in  the  angel, 
whom  God  has  given  to  every  man,  to  accompany 
him  during  life  and  conduct  him  securely  to  his 
eternal  home. 

What  weighty  reasons  have  we  not,  then,  to  offer 
thanks  to  the  Lord  for  choosing  such  a  companion 
and  guide  for  us ! 

The  road  that  leads  to  eternal  salvation  is  shrouded 
in  darkness,  and  hence  we  may  easily  be  led  astray 
if  we  rely  on  our  own  selves.  It  is  a  road  along 
which  the  enemies  of  our  salvation  lie  in  ambush,  to 
surprise  us,  wound  us,  and,  if  possible,  to  bring  about 
our  utter  ruin. 

Yet,  if  we  be  but  of  good  will,  we  need  not  fear, 
for  by  our  side  walks  an  angel,  endowed  with  all  the 
qualities  of  a  good  guide,  in  whom  we  may  put  entire 
trust,  following  him,  without  anxiety,  on  our  hazardous 
journey  through  life. 


SECOND    SERMON.  623 

Let  uSy  then,  consider  what  those  traits  are  in  our 
Guardian  Angel  which  render  him  a  good  guide. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  Angels,  recommend  us  to  our 
Guardian  Angels,  that  at  thy  bidding  they  may  assist 
us  to  walk  on  the  right  path — that  path  which  will 
lead  us  to  God  and  to  thee,  O  Queen  of  Angels! 

1  address  you  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God! 


The  qualities  for  which  we  look,  in  a  reliable  guide, 
are,  besides  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  road,  are  up- 
right character,  obliging  behavior,  and  amiable  man- 
ners. To  a  guide  possessing  these  qualities  the  pref- 
erence will  always  be  given  over  others  not  similarly 
gifted. 

We  shall  now  see  in  how  remarkable  a  degree  our 
Guardian  Angel  has  all  these  requisites  of  a  good 
guide,  and  is  thus  rendered  thoroughly  fit  to  dis- 
charge his  duty. 

Only  think  of  it;  that  companion  of  yours  is  an 
Angel!  What  a  virtuous,  amiable,  excellent  being  must 
he  not  then  be !  As  an  angel  he  is  raised  far  above 
the  level  of  men.  In  comparison  with  his  tremendous 
power  of  mind,  the  mental  strength  of  the  greatest 
genius  dwindles  to  nothing. 

An  Angel  is  a  being  that,  arrayed  in  the  glory  of 
heaven,  arrests  the  delighted  gaze  of  the  Almighty! 
On  one  occasion,  St.  John,  in  an  ecstasy,  saw  an 
Angel  clothed  in  such  wonderful  beauty  that  he  mis- 


624  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ANGELS. 

took  him,  at  first,  for  our  Lord  Himself,  and  was 
about  to  fall  down  and  adore  him.  And  yet  the 
vision  was  but  an  angel.  Hence,  you  can  form  some 
idea  of  the  ravishing  beauty  of  an  angel. 

Such  a  being,  then,  is  that  heavenly  protector  of 
yours.  Hence,  Holy  Writ  justly  makes  us  this  ex- 
hortation: **  Honor  him;  he  is  deserving  of  it." 

Oh,  would  that  you  could  share  the  happiness  of 
St.  Frances  of  Rome,  who  always  beheld  her  Angel 
Guardian  by  her  side !  How  devout  and  modest  would 
you  then  not  be,  at  all  times  and  in  all  places,  on  ac- 
count of  his  visible  presence.  St.  Bernardin  of  Sienna, 
makes  the  very  just  remark  that,  should  your  Angel 
Guardian  display,  before  your  eyes,  all  the  glory  with 
which  he  is  surrounded  near  the  throne  of  God,  the 
entire  world,  not  even  excepting  the  sun,  would  fade 
from  your  sight,  and  nothing  would  be  seen  but  that 
one  Angel,  so  dazzling  would  his  brightness  be.  But 
here  you  may  apply  that  promise  of  Jesus  Christ: 
''  Blessed  are  those  that  have  not  seen  and  have  be- 
lieved." Think  of  your  Guardian  Angel  often  during 
the  day,  and  frequently  call  to  mind  his  actual  pres- 
ence at  your  side.  The  remembrance  of  him,  whether 
you  be  working,  taking  your  meals,  resting,  or  in  suf- 
fering, will  console  and  render  you  more  devout. 

We  are  better  pleased  with  a  guide  if  he  is  well 
affected  toward  us,  and  if  he  offers  his  services  with 
a  good  grace.  Should  he  lack  these  qualities,  we 
would  prefer  to  travel  alone,  even  through  dangerous 
places. 


SECOND    SERMON.  625 

Now,  as  to  our  Guardian  Angel,  he  delights  in 
our  company;  he  loves  us  as  chosen  citizens  of 
heaven;  as  children  of  Jesus  Christ,  that,  redeemed 
in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  are  destined  to  be  united 
with  him  in  heaven. 

Then  he  takes  upon  himself  the  duty  of  a  guide 
with  so  much  the  more  readiness,  as  he  knows  that 
if  the  one  intrusted  to  his  charge  be  saved,  he 
himself  shall  one  day  have  a  special  interest  in  his 
bliss. 

He  is,  moreover,  encouraged  in  the  discharge  of 
his  office  by  the  thought  that  he  unites  to  himself, 
by  the  bonds  of  gratitude,  the  hearts  of  all  those  who 
are  in  any  way  related  to  his  charge  by  the  ties  of^ 
blood,  or  love,  or  friendship,  such  as  father,  mother, 
husband,  and  wife.  All  these  will  one  day  pay  him 
special  homage  in  the  realm  of  the  Blessed. 

But  what  most  sweetens  the  labor  of  the  Guardian 
Angel,  in  performing  his  task,  is  the  love  oi  Jesus 
and  Mary,  He  is  well  aware  how  our  dear  Mother 
yearns  to  clasp  to  her  loving  embrace  the  children 
whom  Jesus  confided  to  her  at  the  foot  of  the  cross; 
he  fully  appreciates  the  longing  desire  of  our  Saviour 
to  press  to  His  bosom  the  brothers  for  whom  He 
shed  the  last  drop  of  His  blood;  and  he  is  assured 
that  Jesus,  the  King  of  heaven  and  earth,  will  reward 
him  richly  for  his  services. 

Finally,  is  he  not  sent  by  the  most  Holy  Trinity, 
whose  greatest  desire  it  is  to  see  all  men  saved  and 
sanctified  ? 


626  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ANGELS. 

A  guide  will  be  the  more  welcome  if  the  road  to  be 
traveled  over  is  unknown,  and,  above  all,  if  it  leads 
through  an  unsafe  and  dangerous  country;  such  is 
the  road  to  heaven. 

Hence,  ought  we  not  to  rejoice  at  having  so  ex- 
perienced, prudent,  and  faithful  a  companion,  on  our 
journey  through  life,  as  our  Angel  Guardian  is? 
He  has  already  fought  the  good  fight,  on  which  de- 
pended his  eternal  salvation.  He  has  also  come  from 
heaven,  and  hence  he  knows  the  road  thither.  There- 
fore let  us  follow  him  with  blind  confidence. 

He  is,  moreover,  a  prudent  guide.  The  wiles  of 
Lucifer  could  not  deceive  him,  whilst  they  deceived 
so  many  others.  Besides,  he  has  become  wiser  by 
the  additional  experience  of  over  five  thousand  years. 

He  has  seen  and  known  innumerable  pilgrims  in 
this  world,  who,  by  diligently  following  the  advice  of 
their  Guardian  Angels,  have  safely  reached  their 
eternal  home. 

Our  Guardian  Angel  is  also  a  prayerful  spirit, 
who,  .standing  before  the  throne  of  God,  asks  graces 
for  his  charge — graces  which  are  readily  granted  to 
so  great  a  friend  of  the  Almighty! 

Moreover,  he  is  aided  in  his  petition  by  numerous 
other  Angels,  in  whose  company  he  lives,  and  who 
are  united  to  him  by  the  bonds  of  the  tenderest  love ; 
together  with  them  he  besieges  the  throne  of  mercy; 
and  along  with  them  he  offers  up  his  prayers  before 
the  divine  Majesty. 

Priests   have   become  aware,   in  times  of  Jubilees 


SECOND    SERMON.  627 

and  Missions,  of  the  mutual  services  which  the  angels 
render  each  other  in  order  to  obtain  more  plentiful 
graces  for  the  souls  intrusted  to  their  care. 

This  powerful  protection  of  our  Guardian  Angel 
extends  to  our  body  as  well  as  to  our  soul. 

In  tending  to  the  needs  of  our  body,  the  angels 
are  helped  by  their  thorough  knowledge  of  the  pow- 
ers of  nature,  as  we  can  see  in  the  instance  of  the 
Archangel  Raphael,  the  guide  of  young  Tobias. 

As  regards  the  wants  of  our  soid,  our  Guardian 
Angel  knows  all  the  wiles  and  crafts  of  Satan;  and 
when  the  Evil  One  tempts  us,  he  inspires  us  with 
encouraging  thoughts,  thwarts  his  plans,  and  secures 
our  eternal  salvation. 

He  is,  moreover,  a  conquering  angel,  dreaded  by 
the  devils,  since  they  already  experienced  his  power 
when  they  first  rose  in  revolt  against  God.  Let  us, 
therefore,  put  all  our  confidence  in  him. 

He  is,  finally,  a  faithful  guide,  who  will  never 
abandon  us  in  life;  who  will  protect  us  at  the  hour 
of  death,  and  still  help  us  in  the  pains  of  purga- 
tory. 

Yes,  our  Guardian  Angel  will  assist  us  during  life. 
No  matter  how  long  it  may  be,  he  will  fulfill  his  duty 
of  praying  for  us  and  protecting  us  at  all  times  and  in 
all  places — in  Europe  as  well  as  in  Asia,  in  Africa  no 
less  than  in  America. 

He  watches  over  us  during  our  hours  of  work  and 
leisure,  and  Is  near  us  In  our  joys  and  sufferings,  in 
our  consolations  and  temptations. 


628  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY    ANGELS. 

But,  above  all,  our  Guardian  Angel  will  assist  us 
at  the  awful  hour  of  death,  on  which  our  whole  eter- 
nity depends.  At  that  moment,  certainly,  we  may  be 
sure  of  his  help  and  protection. 

For,  it  is  especially  in  our  agony  that  Satan  strains 
every  nerve  in  order  to  secure  our  soul  and  thrust  it 
into  hell.  He  knows  but  too  well  that  if  he  is  able  to 
seize  on  her  then,  he  holds  her  forever ;  for  where  the 
tree  falleth,  there  it  remaineth. 

Therefore  it  is  that  he  has  often  appeared  visibly 
to  the  dying,  and  has  even  dared  to  frighten  and  as- 
sail the  Saints.  But  the  Guardian  Angel,  too,  is  on 
the  alert.  He  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  if  he  rescues  a 
soul  at  the  hour  of  death,  it  can  never  again  be  torn 
from  him,  and  that  then  he  has  fulfilled  his  mission  in 
its  regard.  On  this  account  he  endeavors,  to  the  best 
of  his  power,  to  assist  the  departing  soul,  and  is 
ready,  if  need  be,  to  call  other  angels  to  his  aid  in 
driving  away  the  evil  spirits,  and  in  obtaining,  by  his 
prayers,  for  the  dying  person,  the  grace  of  a  happy 
death. 

But,  even  after  a  soul  has  departed  this  life,  he 
ceases  not  to  assist  her ;  for,  if  she  be  still  detained  in 
the  flames  of  Purgatory,  he  offers  up  prayers  for  her 
before  the  throne  of  God,  thus  to  lessen  and  shorten 
her  pains.  He  also  incites  the  friends  of  the  deceased 
to  aid  him,  by  prayer,  and  by  offering  up  the  holy 
sacrifice  of  the  Mass. 

Finally,  the  Guardian  Angel  leads  the  soul  in- 
trusted to  his  care  into  eternal  bliss;  and  who  can 


SECOND    SERMON.  629 

describe  his  joy  on  seeing  at  last  all  his  efforts 
crowned  ? 

And  the  soul  that  is  saved,  what  will  she  do? 

With  what  feelings  of  gratitude  will  she  not  hail 
her  adviser  and  guardian,  especially  when  she  sees 
clearly  to  what  a  degree  she  is  indebted  to  his  care 
for  her  eternal  salvation. 

I  desire,  for  all  of  you  here  present,  to  follow  in 
this  way  your  heavenly  guide,  so  that,  at  the  end  of 
your  journey  through  life,  you  may  be  led  triumph- 
antly into  heaven  by  your  Guardian  Angels. — Amen. 


630  FEAST   OF   THE    HOLY  ANGELS. 

THIRD  SERMON. 

"I  became  all  things  to  all  men  that  I  might  save  all." — i  Cor.  ix,  22. 

THE  holy  Angels  whom  God  has  sent  to  wait  upon 
mankind  fulfill  their  duty  with  the  greatest  readi- 
ness, in  obedience  to  the  Almighty  and  out  of  love  to 
Him ;  for,  as  the  Psalmist  sings,  they  are  ordered  by 
the  Lord  to  take  care  of  the  welfare  of  souls. 

Yet  we  are  greatly  mistaken  if  we  imagine  that  this 
command  regards  only  the  Angels.  Not  at  all !  It  is 
also  addressed  to  each  and  every  one  of  us. 

We  may  gather  this  first  from  the  precept  of  Jesus 
Christ:  ''  Love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself."  Hence  it  fol- 
lows that  every  man  must  apply  himself  to  the  well- 
being  of  his  brethren  with  the  same  earnestness  as  he 
does  to  his  own. 

In  another  passage  of  Holy  Writ  God  addresses 
these  express  words  to  each  soul :  ''  He  hath  confided 
unto  thee  the  welfare  of  thy  brother."  That  is,  the 
Lord  desires  that  you  should  love  all  men  as  breth- 
ren ;  that  you  should  attend  to  the  spiritual  as  well  as 
the  corporal  needs  of  each  other. 

Therefore,  dear  Christian,  honor  your  own  Guardian 
Angel  and  imitate  him,  but  at  the  same  time — 

Honor  also  the  Guardian  A^igel  of  your  neighbor, 
and  endeavor  to  be  yourself  a  Guardian  Angel  to  him, 

O  Mary,  Queen  of  the  children  of  God,  Protectress 
of  the  Church,  and  Refuge  of  Christians,  pour  out  into 


THIRD    SERMON.  63  I 

the  souls  of  thy  children  the  spirit  of  mutual  love  for 
their  mutual  sanctification ! 

I  speak  to  you  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


We  read  of  Blessed  Peter  Faber,  the  first  disciple 
of  St.  Ignatius,  that  whenever  he  drew  near  a  village 
or  town  in  which  he  desired  to  preach  the  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ,  he  would,  even  before  arriving,  invoke 
the  Guardian  Angels  of  all  living  there,  that  they  might 
obtain  for  him  the  grace  of  laboring  fruitfully  for  its  in- 
habitants. 

It  is  really  astonishing  to  see  that  a  devotion  is  so 
neglected  which  promises  such  fruits,  and  which  holds 
out  motives  for  its  practice  that  are  at  once  so  numer- 
ous and  striking. 

It  is  indeed  a  sad  thing  to  observe  that  even  the  de- 
votion to  our  own  Guardian  Angel  is  not  sufficiently 
esteemed.  How  few  grown  persons  there  are  that  ap- 
ply to  it  with  fervor ! 

It  is  true  that  as  long  as  we  are  children  our  parents 
accustom  us  to  offer  some  short  prayers  in  honor  of  the 
Guardian  Angel.  But,  as  regards  the  parents  them- 
selves and  adults  in  general,  they  have  long  neglected 
to  honor  their  Guardian  Angel ;  nay,  they  often  do  not 
even  think  of  him  for  years,  much  less  do  they  remem- 
ber his  presence  daily  and  hourly,  as  they  ought. 

Am  I  not  in  the  right?  Ask  yourselves  whether 
you  pray  every  day  to  your  Angel  Guardian,  whether 


632  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY  ANGELS. 

you  often  call  to  mind  the  assistance  he  offers  you» 
especially  during  temptations,  and  whether  you  unite 
your  prayers  to  his,  thus  to  render  them  more  fruitful. 

Is  it  then,  a  wonder,  that  if  we  neglect  our  own 
Guardian  Angel,  we  pay  no  regard  whatsoever  to  the 
Guardian  Angels  of  others  ? 

How  many  are  there  not  that,  during  their  whole  life, 
have  given  not  even  one  thought  to  these  benevolent 
spirits !  But,  as  for  you,  resolve  to  act  differently  for 
the  future,  and  be  assured  that  the  Angels  will  assist 
you  and  obtain  for  you  the  grace  to  become  a  Guard- 
ian Angel  to  those  with  whom  you  deal,  according  to 
the  words  of  St.  Paul :  '*  Be  ye  the  sweet  odor  of  Jesus 
Christ."  Then  you  may  apply  to  your  own  persons 
what  St.  Paul  says  of  himself:  "I  became  all  things 
to  all  men  that  I  might  save  all." 

And  fear  not  that  there  will  be  wanting  occasions 
to  show  yourselves  Guardian  Angels  towards  your 
neighbor.  Have  but  a  good  will,  and  then  look  about 
you.    You  have  opportunities  at  home. 

If  you  are  a  married  person  St.  Paul  tells  you  what 
you  ought  to  do.  He  says  :  *'  Husbands,  love  your 
wives  as  Christ  also  loved  the  Church ;  as  the  Church 
is  subject  to  Christ,  so  also  let  wives  be  subject  to 
their  husbands  in  all  things;"  i.  e.,  you  must  love 
each  other  not  merely  from  worldly  motives,  but  from 
such  motives  as  faith  inspires. 

Remember  that  matrimony  is  a  holy  state ;  that 
God  has  united  husband  and  wife  not  indeed  to  live 
a  life  of  pleasure  and  ease  on  earth,  but  to  give  testi- 


THIRD    SERMON.  633 

mony  to  the  Church  of  Christ  before  all  men  by  their 
holiness  of  life. 

Oh,  how  I  could  wish  to  see  you  lead  such  a  life — 
to  see  the  husband  become  a  Guardian  Angel  to  the 
wife,  and  the  wife  to  the  husband!  How  much  assist- 
ance could  you  not  then  afford  one  another  for  your 
eternal  salvation  ! 

Let  us  now  examine  in  how  many  different  manners 
the  wife  can  exercise  an  influence  over  her  spouse's 
religious  conduct. 

The  first  and  most  effectual  way  of  advancing  his 
spiritual  welfare  is  to  set  him  a  good  example.  If 
the  wife  attends  to  her  daily  prayers  ;  if  she  goes  to 
hear  Mass  whenever  it  is  possible ;  if  she  receives 
the  Sacraments  with  due  frequency,  she  may  effect  a 
surprising  change  in  her  husband's  conduct,  and  force 
from  him  the  acknowledgment :  *'  It  is  true  that  be- 
fore marriage  I  was  a  lukewarm  and  indifferent  Cath- 
olic. I  neglected  my  duties  as  a  Christian  entirely, 
never  praying  or  assisting  at  Mass,  not  even  on  Sun- 
days, much  less  receiving  the  Sacraments.  I  lived  in 
the  habit  of  sin,  and,  what  is  worse,  in  the  habit  of 
mortal  sin.  But,  thanks  be  to  God,  since  I  have  your 
example  before  my  eyes,  I  am  wholly  changed.  I  have 
become  a  true  Christian.  Your  pious  conduct  has  ef- 
fected all  this  in  me." 

Besides  setting  her  husband  a  good  example,  she 
ought  also  closely  to  watch  over  his  conduct.  She 
ought  to  observe  whether  he  associates  with  bad  com- 
panions.  Should  this  be  the  case,  she  should  seize  the 


634  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY  ANGELS. 

most  convenient  opportunity  of  reminding  ^him  of  the 
danger,  and  of  warning  him  of  the  bad  consequences 
which  will  follow  so  unchristian  a  way  of  acting.  She 
ought,  further,  to  urge  him  to  cleanse  himself  from 
guilt  by  a  good  confession,  and  to  commence  a  new 
life  in  the  service  of  God. 

But  especially  should  the  wife  evince  her  pure  and 
tender  love  to  her  husband  when  he  is  stricken  down 
with  a  severe  illness  that  is  likely  to  prove  fatal.  Let 
it  then  be  her  principal  care  to  afford  him  an  occasion 
of  confessing  his  sins  and  receiving  the  viaticum,  that, 
strengthened  with  the  Sacraments,  he  may  be  taken 
up  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord,  there  to  pray  for  his  wife, 
and  one  day  to  thank  her  for  having  been  his  deliverer 
from  eternal  damnation. 

U  wives  attend  in  this  manner  to  the  spiritual  wants 
of  their  husbands,  they  will  in  truth  prove  Guardian 
Angels  to  them ;  and  I  may  have  the  consolation  of 
hearing  again  what  a  married  man,  who  had  neglected 
his  spiritual  duties,  once  told  me  :  ''  Father,"  he  said, 
"  who  do  you  think  has  changed  me  from  a  lukewarm 
man  into  a  fervent  Christian  ?  It  is  she  who  stands 
here  at  my  side.  It  is  my  wife.  She  has  pressed  and 
entreated  me  to  amend  my  life,  until  at  last  I  have 
yielded.  Indeed,  I  do  not  deserve  to  be  the  husband 
of  such  a  wife."  Yes,  she  was  indeed  a  treasure  to 
her  husband. 

But  no  less  praise  is  to  be  lavished  on  that  husband 
to  whose  exertion  is  due  the  conversion  and  salvation 
of  his  wife. 


THIRD    SERMON.  635 

Many  a  married  woman  has,  with  tears,  made  me 
an  avowal  like  the  following:  "  As/ my  father  and 
mother  died  early,  I  was  confided  to  the  care  of  stran- 
gers. There  my  education  was  neglected,  and  I  be- 
came very  indifferent  in  religious  matters.  But  ever 
since  I  was  married  to  so  good,  so  religious  a  husband, 
I  have  become  quite  another  person.  I  have  been  led 
back  to  the  right  road." 

A  special  blessing  has  sometimes  descended  on 
either  of  the  spouses  in  mixed  marriages  when  one 
was  the  cause  of  the  other's  embracing  the  true  faith — 
that  greatest  of  gifts  which  any  man  can  bestow  on 
his  neighbor.  Happy  indeed  are  those  married  peo- 
ple who  are  thus  Guardian  Angels  one  to  the  other ! 

If  husband  and  wife  are  bound  to  advance  each 
other  in  holiness,  this  obligation  is  still  greater  on 
parents  in  relation  to  their  children. 

Parents  who  wish  to  exhibit  themselves  true  Gi\ard- 
ian  Angels  to  their  children,  should  remember  that 
there  is  one  thing  which  it  behooves  them  to  do  above 
all,  viz.,  to  lead  a  truly  Christian  life  themselves.  An 
exact  fulfillment  of  the  commandments  of  God  and  of 
the  Church  on  the  part  of  parents  will  advance  their 
children  wonderfully  in  piety  and  in  the  practice  of  all 
virtues.  Even  after  death  the  holiness  of  father  and 
mother  will  uphold  and  strengthen  their  offspring  in 
all  the  temptations  and  trials  of  life. 

However,  besides  good  example,  parents,  in  con 
ducting  the  education  of  their  children,  have  a  thou- 
sand other  means  of  making  of  their  children  true 
41 


6^6  FEAST    OF    THE    HOLY  ANGELS. 

servants  of  God.  Such  a  result  they  ever  obtain  by 
accustoming  their  children  from  childhood  to  pray  de- 
voutly, by  instructing  them  in  the  first  principles  of 
religion,  by  obliging  them  to  read  in  some  pious  book 
every  evening,  and  by  preparing  them  thoroughly  for 
their  first  Holy  Communion! 

Parents  should,  further,  be  exceedingly  careful  in 
directing  their  children  in  the  choice  of  a  state  of  life. 
They  should,  moreover,  punish  them  if  they  be  given 
to  some  vice,  remove  from  them  all  occasions  of  sin, 
and  especially  keep  them  from  all  intercourse  with 
wicked  companions. 

I  can  assure  you,  parents  here  present,  that  if  you 
adopt  such  a  course  of  action  towards  your  children, 
you  will  become  their  true  visible  Guardian  Angels  ; 
and  that  when  the  burden  of  education  weighs  heavily 
upon  you,  you  may  justly  console  yourselves  with  the 
thoyght  that  their  invisible  Guardian  Angels  will  thank 
and  reward  you  for  your  services. 

In  a  similar  manner  sisters  and  brothers  should  prove 
Guardian  Angels  to  each  other,  and  to  all  those  with 
whom  they  come  in  contact  in  the  same  family  or 
house. 

But  your  obligation  does  not  stop  here.  No ;  it  is 
your  bounden  duty  to  fulfill  the  office  of  Guardian 
Angel  towards  all  with  whom  you  may  have  any  in- 
tercourse, Catholics  as  well  as  non-Catholics,  accord- 
ing to  the  express  command  of  our  Lord  :  "So  let 
your  light  shine  before  men  that  they  may  see  your 
good  works,  and  glorify  your  Father  Who  is  in  heaven." 


THIRD    SERMON.  637 

What  beautiful  instances  of  this  disinterested  char- 
ity do  we  not  find  recorded  in  the  ''  Lives  of  the 
Saints  ;  "  but  especially  in  the  lives  of  founders  of  Re- 
ligious Orders  and  of  great  missionaries,  those  vessels 
that  are  especially  set  apart  for  the  Sanctuary ! 

Missionaries  are  those  who  have  spread,  and  are 
still  spreading,  the  seed  of  the  Gospel  all  over  the 
world,  preaching  to  all  nations  the  word  of  truth,  and 
giving  evidence  of  the  divine  origin  of  our  religion  by 
the  holiness  of  their  lives.  They  have  become  Guard- 
ian Angels  to  the  present  generation  of  men,  and, 
through  them,  will  be  such  to  their  posterity. 

Only  think  of  St.  Francis  Xavier !  May  we  not  truly 
call  him  the  Guardian  Angel  of  those  innumerable  pa- 
gans of  Japan  to  whom  he  brought  the  glad  tidings  of 
the  Gospel,  and  whom  he  regenerated  with  his  own 
hand  in  the  waters  of  Baptism  ? 

The  same  may  be  said  of  the  many  founders  of  Re- 
ligious Orders — of  St.  Benedict,  of  St.  Dominic,  of 
St.  Francis,  and  of  St.  Ignatius. 

Oh,  would  that  we  could  behold  them  now  in  heaven, 
surrounded  by  numerous  Saints  that  press  round  them 
to  express  their  gratitude  for  the  generosity  of  heart 
they  showed  in  caring  for  the  salvation  of  their  neigh- 
bor while  they  procured  their  own  ;  to  thank  them  for 
opening  the  portals  of  heaven  to  them  and  so  many 
others,  by 'the  establishment  of  Religious  Orders  and 
Congregations. 

But  woe  to  him  who  follows  an  opposite  course  ;  who, 
instead  of  proving  a  Guardian  Angel  to  his  neighbor, 


638  FEAST  OF  THE  HOLY  ANGELS. 

becomes,  by  his  example,  conversation,  and  advice, 
the  murderer  of  his  brother's  soul. 

Such  a  man  fastens  to  his  own  neck  the  millstone 
of  which  our  Lord  speaks  when  He  says  :  "  Woe  to 
him  through  whom  scandals  come  ;  it  were  better  for 
him  that  a  millstone  were  hanged  about  his  neck  and 
he  were  cast  into  the  sea,  than  that  he  should  scan- 
dalize one  of  these  little  ones."  Yes,  after  death  that 
millstone  will  draw  him  down  into  hell,  there  to  be 
handed  over  to  cruel  executioners  —  those  demons 
whom  he  aided  during  life  in  their  fiendish  design  of 
seducing  and  ruining  souls. 

My  brethren,  make  your  choice,  for  choose  you 
must !  There  is  no  middle  course  ;  you  will  either  be  a 
Guardian  Angel  to  your  neighbor  or  a  destroying 
devil ;  you  will  either  lead  your  neighbor  to  the  path 
of  salvation  or  guide  him  to  the  broad  road  which 
leads  to  perdition.  What  a  terrible  alternative!  Make 
your  choice  while  it  is  yet  time. — Amen ! 


FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A 
CHURCH. 


FIRST  SERMON. 


"Christ  loved  the  Church,  and  delivered  Himself  up  for  it,  that  He  might 
sanctify  it." — Ephes.  v,  25. 

TO-DAY  we  commemorate  that  solemn  festival  on 
which,  amid  universal  rejoicings,  this  Temple  of 
God  was  consecrated  to  the  honor  and  service  of  the 
Most  High. 

The  very  sight  of  a  Catholic  Church  reminds  us  of 
the  only  true,  the  only  divine  Church  which  Christ  has 
established  here  upon  earth,  constituting  it,  if  I  may 
so  call  it,  a  channel  that  conveys  to  the  children  of 
men  the  bountiful  gifts  of  Redemption.  And  most  con- 
veniently does  our  Mother,  the  Church,  pour  forth  all 
the  treasures  of  her  blessings  and  imposing  ceremonial 
rites  when  she  blesses  and  consecrates  her  temples  of 
worship. 

Therefore,  I  wish  to  call  your  attention  to  the  char- 
acter attached  to  the  consecration. 

The  words  of  St.  Paul,  which  I  made  use  of  at  the 
outset  of  my  discourse,  evidently  point  to  the  charac- 
ter of  the  consecration  imparted  by  Christ  Himself  to 
His  Church,  when  He  made  her  tlie  common  Mother, 

unto  the  end  of  time,  of  all  the  children  of  God  scat- 

(639) 


640       FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A  CHURCH. 

tered  over  the  earth.  The  words:  "Christ  loved  His 
Church,  that  He  might  sanctify  it/'  imply  that  the 
Church  is  to  represent  the  visible  kingdom  of  God 
upon  earth — the  kingdom  of  grace,  of  light,  of  truth, 
of  consolation — and  the  only  haven  of  salvation. 

This  Church  of  God  is  to  raise  her  lofty  head  above 
the  sky,  and  entone  an  eternal  canticle  of  triumph  and 
praise  before  the  throne  of  the  Most  High. 

From  these  considerations  I  infer,  that  the  consecra- 
tion which  Christ  gave  to  His  Church,  pj^oceeded  from 
a  movement  of  His  love,  and  that  the  consecration  of 
the  temples  raised  by  our  Mother,  the  Church,  partici- 
pate of  the  riches  of  this  divine  love  by  which  Christ 
loves  His  Church. 

0  most  holy  Mary,  thou  who  art  the  most  worthy 
Temple  of  the  Godhead,  Mother  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  obtain  for  us  the  grace  that  our  hearts,  puri- 
fied by  the  fire  of  divine  love,  may  be  true  temples 
of  God ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God  ! 


I  have  just  said  that  the  consecration  with  which 
Christ  sanctified  His  Church,  proceeded  from  a  pure 
love  of  His  adorable  Heart,  that  knows  no  bounds  to 
its  feelings  of  compassion,  of  communication,  and  of 
sanctif  cation,  and  which  will  prove  consoling  diVid  faith- 
ful to  the  end.  Now  to  get  a  clear  idea  of  such  a  won- 
derful love,  we  must  bear  in  mind  the  doctrine  laid 


FIRST    SERMON.  64 1 

down  by  the  holy  fathers,  chiefly  by  St.  Augustine  and 
St.  Chrysostom,  about  the  manner  in  which  the  Church 
took  her  rise. 

These  great  doctors  unanimously  declare  that,  just 
as  from  the  side  of  Adam  came  forth  our  first  mother 
Eve,  so  from  the  side  of  Christ  issued  the  Sacraments  ; 
that,  as  while  Adam  slept  in  Paradise,  the  Lord  opened 
his  side,  and  out  of  one  of  his  ribs  formed  Eve  :  so 
while  Christ  slept  in  death  on  the  wood  of  the  cross, 
the  lance  opening  His  loving  Heart,  caused  blood  and 
water  (typifying  the  Church)  to  gush  forth.  The 
water  of  the  wound  of  Christ  symbolized  the  Sacra- 
ment of  Baptism,  and  the  blood  the  Sacrament  of  the 
Altar;  and  these  two  Sacraments  being  the  principal 
ones,  are  well  chosen  to  represent  the  whole  Church. 

This  circumstance  sufficiently  proves  the  eminent 
qualities  of  the  wonderful  consecration  by  which  the 
Church  sprung  into  existence ;  for  it  was  effected 
purely  by  the  Heart  of  Jesus,  and  the  heart,  as  is  com- 
monly believed,  is  the  seat  of  love,  or  that  organ  which 
allows  man  to  experience  the  sweet  impulses  of  love. 

And  furthermore,  the  very  thought  which  entered 
into  the  impenetrable  mind  of  the  Most  High, — that 
of  saving  the  fallen  human  race, — bears  the  stamp  of 
that  infinite  love  which  characterizes  the  Redemption 
in  its  fulfillment.  There  was  certainly  no  need  of  so 
much  labor  and  suffering  to  save  us.  Yet  so  God 
willed  it,  or,  as  St.  John  justly  expresses  it :  "  God  so 
loved  the  world  as  to  give  His  only-begotten  Son.*' 
So  great  a  condescension  was  not  shown  to  the  fallen 


642        FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A  CHURCH. 

Angels,  though  their  nature  is  far  above  that  of  men. 
I  admire  here,  my  dear  brethren,  and  profoundly 
adore  the  unsearchable  designs  of  divine  love.  Here, 
indeed,  we  find  the  first  feature  which  signalizes  the 
love  of  our  Redeemer;  His  love  is  a  love  full  o{  com- 
passion: ''Yea,  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting 
love,  therefore  have  I  drawn  thee,  taking  pity  on 
thee."  Such  are  the  words  of  the  Holy  Ghost  himself. 
We  shall  understand  better  this  infinite  mercy  of 
God,  if  we  examine  the  manner  in  which  Christ  has 
completed  the  work  of  our  Redemption.  There  we 
see  Him,  on  Mount  Calvary,  nailed  to  a  cross,  raised 
between  heaven  and  earth,  with  His  arms  stretched 
out  towards  us  ;  and  with  a  sorrowful  and  blood-stained 
countenance,  inviting  all  men  to  come  and  to  suffer, 
in  their  turn,  so  as  to  share  abundantly  in  the  infinite 
merits  of  their  Lord  and  Redeemer.  Yes,  dear  breth- 
ren. His  very  looks  speak  words  of  love  to  our  hard- 
ened souls  :  *'  Oh,  all  ye  that  pass  by  the  way,  attend, 
and  see  if  there  be  any  sorrow  like  to  my  sorrow.'* 
You  see,  then,  that  it  was  an  impulse  of  His  infinite 
mercy  for  us  that  caused  Him  so  to  complete  the 
>  work  of  our  salvation,  as  to  remove  from  us  the  least 
thought  of  despair  and  despondency,  and  to  induce 
us  all  to  throw  ourselves  with  child-like  confidence  into 
the  arms  of  our  merciful  Father. 
,  You  are  all  bound  to  admire  this  miracle  of  gen- 
erous and  unreserved  charity  by  which  our  blessed 
Redeemer  embraced  and  sanctified  the  Church. 
The  love  by  which  Christ  loved  His  Church  was 


FIRST    SERMON.  643 

most  generous  and  communicative.  To  her  He  gave 
His  word  and  His  doctrine  ;  to  her  He  left  the  keys 
of  heaven,  all  His  merits,  and  an  inexhaustible 
source  of  graces,  open  to  those  who  pray  in  His 
name  and  have  recourse  to  the  Sacraments.  Nay, 
He  gave  us  His  very  Person  in  the  Most  Bless- 
ed Sacrament,  and  He  remains  with  us  to  the 
end  of  time.  So,  then,  the  love  which  Christ  showed 
us  when  He  consecrated  His  Church,  sprung  from  a 
generous  and  unreserved  sentiment  of  His  divine 
Heart,  and  it  will  be  crowned  in  heaven,  when,  in 
that  eternal  kingdom  of  love,  the  whole  Church,  in 
company  with  her  spouse  Jesus  Christ,  will  reign  and 
flourish,  and  share  with  Him  an  endless  glory  and 
eternal  blessedness. 

But,  my  dear  friends,  until  the  glorious  day  of  our 
triumph  dawns,  it  is  our  lot  to  wander  in  this  valley 
of  tears,  and  to  live  as  if  our  life  were  spent  among 
the  blessed  spirits,  as  our  Lord  recommends  in  His 
admirable  prayer :  "  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it 
Is  in  heaven."  Yes,  such  should  the  Church  appear 
even  here  below, — a  body  with  which  Christ  has  left 
every  means  of  sanctification,  and  of  compliance  with 
the  earnest  recommendation :  '*  Be  perfect,  as  your 
heavenly  Father  Is  perfect."  The  love  of  Jesus  for  His 
Church  was  a  sanctifying  one.  And,  In  fact,  the  Church 
of  Christ  alone  can  bring  forth  new  elect  to  swell  the 
bands  of  the  blessed,  in  whose  communion  we  live, 
and  whom  we  are  happy  and  honored  to  call  by  the 
sweet  names  of  brothers  and  sisters.    But  as  so  holy 


644       FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A  CHURCH. 

a  life  necessarily  implies  struggles  and  sacrifices,  the 
Christian  needs  consolation  and  encouragement.  And 
here  we  have  another  of  the  characteristics  of  the  love 
which  Christ  bears  to  His  Church.  It  is  a  most  consol- 
ing love  for  all  her  true  children.  For  has  not  Christ 
promised  a  hundred-fold,  even  in  this  world  to  His  true 
followers  ?  Yes,  dear  brethren,  all  those  who  with  an 
eager  spirit  and  with  perseverance  follow  Christ  our 
Lord,  can  not  but  experience  the  fulfillment  of  such  a 
promise,  and  may  well,  as  loving  children  of  the  Church, 
cry  out  with  the  Apostle  :  *'  I  exceedingly  abound  with 
joy  in  all  our  tribulation." 

Finally,  the  love  which  Christ  manifested  for  His 
spouse,  the  Church,  tat  the  time  of  her  foundation, 
bore  the  character  of  a  faithful  love.  In  spite  of  all 
the  storms  and  persecutions  raised  against  the  rock 
on  which  the  Church  is  built  for  about  nineteen  cen- 
turies, Christ  stands  ever  at  her  side,  guides  her,  and 
shields  her  from  all  dangers.  To  her  we  may  well 
apply  the  words  of  Gamaliel :  '*  Because  if  this  is  the 
work  of  God,  you  will  never  destroy  it."  This  char- 
acter of  faithfulness,  as  well  as  all  the  other  loving 
qualities,  is  necessarily  connected  with  the  solemn 
consecration  given  by  our  Mother,  the  Church,  to 
temples  raised  to  God's  service  and  glory. 

Now  to  make  the  truth  of  what  I  have  advanced 
more  tangible,  I  will  set  it  forth  in  a  concise  way. 

The  Consecration  of  a  Church,  intended  for  the 
service  of  the  Most  High,  is  the  effect  of  the  love  of 
God,  full  of  compassion  for  us.    For  the  Church  is  the 


FIRST    SERMON.  645 

place  of  which  it  is  spoken :  "  I  have  chosen  this  spot 
that  I  be  merciful  unto  all  that  hasten  hither,  and  pour 
out  before  Me  their  hearts  in  prayer." 

Again,  the  Consecration  of  a  Church  is  an  effect  of 
the  communicative  and  sanctifying  love  of  Christ.  Be- 
cause the  Church,  by  its  consecrations,  is  dedicated 
for  the  purpose  of  prayer,  and  especially  of  common 
prayer;  for  the  dispensation  of  the  Sacrament  of  Pen- 
ance ;  for  the  offering  of  the  Holy  Sacrifice,  that  ob- 
lation of  the  Lamb,  for  the  benefit  of  the  living  and 
the  dead. 

Who  can  tell  the  numbers  that  have  entered  into 
this  sacred  place,  and,  lifting  up  their  supplicating 
hands  towards  heaven,  have  been  succored  in  their 
necessities?  and  who  can  say,  how  many  from  the 
present  hour  to  the  end  of  time  will  hence  send  their 
supplications  heavenwards,  and  here  find  mercy  and 
relief  ? 

But,  above  all,  it  is  here  that  we  see  the  fulfillment 
of  the  promise  which  Christ  has  made  to  those  who 
are  united  in  prayer:  "Where  there  are  two  or  three 
gathered  together  in  My  name,  there  am  I  in  the 
midst  of  them."  And  again:  *' When  two  are  united 
and  pray  in  common  in  My  Father's  name,  they  will 
be  heard." 

Here  resounds  the  Word  of  God  ;  here  flows  an 
abundant  stream  of  graces  through  the  two  great 
channels  of  Baptism  and  Confirmation.  And  after 
the  lapse  of  a  few  years  you  may  ask  how  many 
Masses  have   already  been    said    in    this   place,  and 


646        FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A  CHURCH. 

how  many  more  will  be  said  hereafter?  how  many 
Communions  have  here  been  received,  and  how  many 
more  will  yet  be  received  ?  How  many  sinners  have  in 
these  confessionals  obtained  the  grace  of  reconciliation 
with  God  ?  how  many  others  have  received  the  Sacra- 
mental blessing  of  matrimony  within  these  holy  pre- 
cincts ?  and,  finally,  how  many  departed  souls  have  found 
comfort  and  relief  in  the  scorching  flames  of  purgatory 
from  the  prayers  offered  up  for  them  in  this  holy 
place  ?  And,  over  and  above  all,  Christ  Himself  is 
here  present,  as  He  is  in  heaven,  and  makes  of  this 
spot,  by  His  adorable  presence,  a  paradise  upon  earth. 
Every  thing  we  see  in  a  Church,  their  very  construction, 
the  ringing  of  the  bells,  the  pulpit,  the  confessional, 
says  in  a  mysterious  and  salutary  language  to  the  soul 
of  a  candid  child  of  the  Church  :  *'  Be  therefore  holy, 
as  your  God  is  holy." 

Lastly,  I  said  that  the  consecration  implies  that 
Christ  loves  us  with  a  heart  full  of  mercy  and  sweet 
consolation,  which  is  precisely  the  character  of  the  con- 
secration of  our  Churches. 

Does  not  the  very  sight  of  a  Church,  be  it  in  the 
center  of  a  large  city,  or  on  the  top  of  a  hill  some- 
where out  in  the  country,  or  the  mere  aspect  of  a 
lonely  chapel,  fill  the  heart  with  consoling  thoughts  ? 
And  pray  tell  me,  dear  brethren,  whither  do  you,  in 
your  sorrow  and  distress,  wend  your  steps  more  ea- 
gerly in  quest  of  consolation  than  to  the  Church  of 
God?  "  Come  to  me  all  ye  that  are  sad  and  weary, 
and   I  will  refresh  you."     Such  are  the  words  which 


FIRST   SERMON.    #  647 

is^ue  from  every  Tabernacle,  sent  by  Jesus  as  so  many 
darts  of  loving  invitation  to  the  children  of  His  dear 
spouse,  the  Church.  Blessed  are  all  that  give  ear  to 
the  Invitation  ;  for  with  Jesus  Christ  they  will  find  con- 
solation. 

Then,  too,  the  consecration  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
is  the  master-piece  of  His  faithful  Heart.  This  feature 
of  Q]\v\si' s  faitkjzil  love  for  His  Church  is  brought  out 
and  made  clear  to  us  in  the  consecration  of  our 
Churches.  As  long  as  the  House  of  God  stands  erect, 
and  is  made  use  of  as  a  holy  place  of  worship,  Christ  will 
be  found  there,  no  less  than  in  St.  Peter's  at  Rome; 
and  He  has  so  ordained  it,  that  all,  without  exception, 
.may  come  hither  and  draw  life  and  comfort  at  the  inex- 
haustible fountain  of  grace. 

Lastly,  my  dear  brethren,  to  understand  with  what 
fidelity  Jesus  Christ  loved  us,  we  have  but  to  interro- 
gate our  lives,  and  consider  the  infidelities  we  have 
offered  to  Him  in  return.  Yet  He  is  ever  ready  to 
pardon  us  again  and  again,  and  impart  to  us  unceas- 
ing favors  to  further  your  salvation  and  sanctification. 

May  the  consideration  of  these  few  thoughts  I  have 
suggested  be  present  to  your  minds  as  often  as  you 
enter  the  house  of  God  and  fill  your  hearts  with  de- 
votion, in  order  that,  sanctified  by  the  hidden  work- 
ings of  His  divine  love,  you  become  living  temples  of 
the  Holy  Ghost. — Amen! 


648         FEAST   OF   T^E   CONSECRATION   OF    A   CHURCH. 

SECOND  SERMON. 

**  With  Him  there  is  plentiful  redemption." — Psalm  cxxix. 

THE  Psalmist,  and  the  whole  human  race  with  him, 
openly  acknowledge  their  gratitude  for  the  great 
benefit  of  Redemption  in  these  words  :  "  Thou  hast 
redeemed  us,  God  of  might."  Yes,  my  dear  brethren, 
we  have  been  redeemed ;  and  who  is  there  that  could 
be  unmindful  of  such  a  grace  ?  We  will  more  readily 
appreciate  this  great  benefit,  if  we  reflect  that  were  this 
the  only  fruit  to  be  derived  from  Redemption;  viz., 
the  blessing  of  not  being  lost  forever,  but  of  being 
saved,  through  Christ,  from  the  eternal  pains  of  hell, 
and  then  placed  in  the  condition  in  which  we  suppose 
unbaptized  children  to  be  after  their  death,  we  would 
still  be  the  recipients  of  an  infinite  favor. 

But,  my  dear  brethren,  this  was  not  enough  for  our 
merciful  Lord.  "It  is  His  mercy  which  has  provided 
that  we  be  not  lost,"  as  the  Psalmist  expresses  it. 
Still  more,  however,  has  it  done ;  for  our  Redemption 
has  been  effected  in  a  plentiful  and  super  abounding 
manner.  By  dying  for  mankind  upon  the  cross,  Jesus 
Christ — the  heavenly  Adam — gave  us  more,  both  for 
time  and  eternity,  than  we  ever  lost  by  the  fall  of  the 
first  Adam. 

This  reflection  will  be  clearer,  if  we  run  over  to- 
gether the  means  given  us  in  the  Church  to  work 
out  our  salvation ;  and  thus  we  shall  understand,  I 
hope,  that   all   we   possess  in   the   eyes  of   God,  as 


SECOND    SERMON.  649 

heirs  to  His  kingdom,  comes  from  a  merciful  and  su- 
perabundant Redemption. 

But  the  temples  of  God,  consecrated  by  an  espe- 
cial solemn  dedication,  are  precisely  those  places 
where  we  are  in  the  most  effective  way,  reminded  of 
the  overflowing  channels  of  grace,  opened  to  the  chil- 
dren of  God  through  Christ. 

Let  us,  tkefi,  to-day  enter  ifito  the  hidden  meaning 
of  the  words  of  the  Psalmist:  "■  With  Thee  there  is 
plentiful  Rede^nption^  Of  this  oracle  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  the  sight  of  the  Church,  whose  dedicatio7i  we 
celebrate,  reminds  and  assures  us, 

0  Mary,  dispenser  of  Christ's  merits,  obtain  for  us 
the  grace  thoroughly  to  appreciate  the  truth,  that  by 
our  Redemption  we  are  children  of  the  Church ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the  greater 
glory  of  God ! 


The  Church  dedicates  her  temples  principally  for 
this  end,  that  in  them  she  may  present  to  the  Triune 
God  her  united  prayers,  offer  the  sacrifice  of  the  New 
Testament,  and  administer  to  the  faithful  the  holy  sac- 
raments, which  are  the  channels  established  by  God  to 
convey  sanctifying  grace  to  the  faithful,  and  increase 
in  them  the  supply  of  actual  grace. 

''My  house  shall  be  called  the  house  of  prayer" 
(Matt,  xxi,  13).  These  are  the  words  of  Christ  even 
in  regard  to  the  temple  of  the  Old  Law;  and,  from 
the  very  time  of  the  Apostles,  places  were  set  apart 


650        FEAST    OF    THE    CONSECRATION    OF    A    CHURCH. 

in  which  the  Christians  might  assemble  for  the  pur- 
pose of  prayer. 

Adam  prayed,  and  the  patriarchs  and  the  people 
under  the  Old  Law  prayed,  though  revelation  is 
silent  about  the  promises  made  in  behalf  of  their 
prayers.  But,  as  regards  the  prayers  of  the  children 
of  God  under  the  New  Law,  we  all  know  the  prom- 
ises of  Christ:  "Amen,  amen,  I  say  to  you:  if  you 
ask  the  Father  any  thing  in  My  Name,  He  will  give 
it  to  you"  (John  xvi,  23).  This  is  Christ's  own  sol- 
emn declaration. 

It  is,  however,  principally  to  prayer  in  the  house  of 
God  that  the  assurance  of  Christ  is  to  be  referred  : 
'*  Where  there  are  two  or  three  gathered  together  in 
My  Name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them  "  (Matt, 
xviii,  20).  When  we  assemble  in  any  place  for  the 
purpose  of  prayer,  Christ,  according  to  this  assur- 
ance, is  spiritually  amongst  us.  In  the  Church,  how- 
ever, behind  the  door  of  the  tabernacle,  Christ  is  re- 
ally present  in  Person.  How  must  not  this  increase 
our  confidence,  especially  when,  with  a  lively  faith,  we 
say  to  ourselves  that  a  God  so  near  must  assuredly 
hear  our  prayers ! 

In  the  old  dispensation,  it  was  rather  the  merit  of 
him  who  prayed  that  made  the  prayer  efficacious ;  but, 
in  the  new,  it  is  especially  the  merit  of  Christ  that 
procures  to  our  prayer  the  power  of  being  heard ;  for 
St.  John  calls  out  to  us:  *'  Let  us  have  confidence,  for 
we  have  an  Advocate  with  the  Father,  Who  prays  for 
us  and  with  us," — that  is,  Christ  in  heaven,  and  the 


SECOND    SERMON.  65  I 

same  Jesus  upon  earth,  present  in  the  Most  Holy 
Sacrament.  Oh,  what  a  superabundant  source  of  Re- 
demption ! 

Yes,  prayer  is  the  key  that  unlocks  all  the  treas- 
ures of  the  merits  of  Christ,  drawing  thence  help  from 
God  for  the  sanctification  of  our  lives,  and  even  relief 
for  all  the  temporal  necessities  and  misfortunes,  so  far 
as  this  conduces  to  our  eternal  salvation.  Yea,  the 
Church  does  not  hesitate  to  acknowledge  before  God 
in  one  of  her  prayers :  That  God  in  His  mercy  grants 
more  than  we  dare  to  ask  for. 

Therefore,  if  we  lack  the  graces  which  the  Saints 
obtained,  it  is  solely  because  we  do  not,  with  the  nec- 
essary confidence,  call  on  the  Name  of  Jesus ;  and 
especially  because  we  do  not  unite  our  prayers  with 
the  prayers  and  merits  of  Christ  present  in  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament,  and  with  that  of  the  whole  Church, 
as  we  are  reminded  and  invited  to  do  whenever  we 
assemble  with  the  faithful  for  the  purpose  of  prayer 
in  the  temple  dedicated  to  God. 

The  second  end  of  the  Church  in  assembling  her 
children  within  the  walls  of  the  temples  which  she 
has  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God,  is  to  offer  there 
the  sacrifice  of  the  New  Covenant.  Oh,  what  a  source 
of  grace !  The  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  is  the  same  sac- 
rifice which  Christ  offered  on  the  cross  to  His  heav- 
enly Father — a  sacrifice  which  reconciled  mankind 
with  Him,  and  thus  consummated  'the  work  of  Re- 
demption. 

The   first  prayer  of   Christ,   in   the  womb  of   His 
42 


652         FEAST   OF   THE    CONSECRATION    OF    A   CHURCH. 

blessed  Mother,  was  in  itself  more  than  sufficient  for 
the  salvation  of  the  human  race,  as  St.  Paul  assures 
us  in  his  letter  to  the  Hebrews.  But  this  did  not  sat- 
isfy His  liberality.  He  wished  to  redeem  us  with  a 
superabundant  Redemption.  On  the  eve  of  His  death, 
He  instituted,  in  an  unbloody  manner,  that  sacrifice 
which  He  offered,  in  a  bloody  manner,  on  the  cross. 
It  was  to  be  offered  in  every  place  on  earth  from  the 
very  foundation  of  His  Church,  and  in  an  uninter- 
rupted succession  until  the  consummation  of  the  world, 
as  the  prophet  Malachias  had  already  foretold. 

Certainly  Adam,  also,  had  he  remained  in  the  state 
of  his  original  justice,  would  have  offered  sacrifice  to 
God,  as  an  expression  of  the  highest  worship  due  to 
God.  Still,  whatever  sacrifice  this  might  have  been, 
it  would  have  given  to  God  but  an  imperfect  and  finite 
worship  and  glory,  just  as  all  the  sacrifices  of  the  Old 
Law  were  of  a  finite  worth.  They  were  only  types 
of  that  sacrifice  which  was  to  give  to  God  an  infinite 
glory,  because  it  is  Christ,  the  Incarnate  Son  of  God 
Himself,  Who  in  it  offers  His  sacred  Person  to  His 
heavenly  Father. 

Therefore,  if  only  the  Vicar  of  Christ,  who  is  the 
Pope,  the  Head  of  the  Church,  had  been  authorized 
to  offer  it  daily,  this  alone  would  have  been  a  source 
of  plentiful  Redemption.  But  more  copiously  still 
was  this  channel  of  grace  to  flow.  Countless  priests 
now  stand  at  the  altars  of  the  Church  all  the  world 
over,  and  raise  the  Sacred  Host  and  chalice,  without 
intermission,  toward  heaven,  in  union  with  the  prayer 


SECOND    SERMON.  653 

of  David  before  the  throne  of  God :  "  Behold,  O  Lord, 
our  Protector,  and  look  on  the  face  of  Thy  Christ" 
(Psalm  Ixxxiii,  lo). 

Again,  the  Church  administers,  within  the  walls  of 
her  temples  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God,  the  Sac- 
raments which,  instituted  by  God,  are  the  visible  signs 
of  invisible  graces. 

We  need  but  examine  them  one  by  one,  and  reflect 
on  their  efficacy,  to  perceive  how  plentiful  are  the 
graces  that  they  impart.  They  supply  superabun- 
dantly what  we  lost  in  Adam ;  and  they  impart  to  us 
such  an  increase  of  grace  as  original  justice  could 
never  have  given  us. 

The  first  sacrament  is  "  Baptism,"  by  which  is  remit- 
ted the  fault  of  Adam,  the  effects  of  which  are  trans- 
mitted to  us  by  the  fallen  condition  of  the  human  race. 

But,  more  than  this,  by  Baptism  we  are  made  chil- 
dren of  God,  heirs  of  heaven,  and  obtain  the  right, 
through  the  Incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  to  call  God 
Himself  our  Brother.  Our  human  nature  is  raised, 
through  the  glorified  Humanity  of  Christ,  above  that 
of  the  Angels;  and  heaven  becomes  an  eternal  reign 
of  triumphant  joy, — it  becomes  a  heaven  far  more 
glorious  than  that  which  would  have  received  us  had 
Adam  never  fallen. 

The  second  sacrament  is  "Confirmation.*'  No  doubt 
man,  with  the  ordinary  assistance  of  grace,  is  ena- 
bled to  keep  his  baptismal  vows,  and  live  according 
to  the  dictates  of  faith ;  but  this  does  not  satisfy  the 
goodness  of  the  Redeemer.    He  gives  man  a  peculiar 


654         FEAST    OF    THE    CONSECRATION    OF    A    CHURCH. 

sacrament  of  Confirmation,  which  is  npt  only  to  enrich 
his  heart  with  grace ;  but  also  to  cause  the  Holy  Ghost 
Himself,  Whose  living  temples  we  are  made  by  the 
superabundance  of  grace,  to  enter  into  his  soul. 

Christ,  indeed,  once  risen  from  the  dead,  entered 
into  His  kingdom  ;  and  it  should  have  satisfied  man 
that  He,  to  Whom  all  power  is  given  in  heaven  and 
on  earth,  protects  and  governs,  from  His  heavenly 
throne,  the  Church  and  every  one  of  her  members. 
But  this  did  not  satisfy  the  generosity  of  his  Saviour's 
diffusive  love.  He  wished  to  remain,  at  the  same  time, 
amongst  us  upon  earth ;  to  be  approached  by  every 
one ;  to  offer  Himself  daily  for  us  on  thousands  of 
altars;  and  even,  as  far  as  His  own  Person  is  con- 
cerned, to  enter  into  the  heart  of  each  one,  there  to 
unite  Himself,  by  His  Flesh  and  Blood,  Divinity  and 
Humanity,  wnth  each  one,  and  to  sow  in  it  the  seed 
of  a  Resurrection  made  still  more  glorious  by  the  su- 
perabundance of  His  Redemption. 

But  man  thus  redeemed  was  to  have  his  liberty  sub- 
jected to  a  trial,  and  so  each  of  us  was  to  remain  lia- 
ble to  fall,  even  after  Baptism.  But  what  a  difference 
between  our  case  and  that  of  Adam  and  Eve !  Their 
single  sin  deprived  them  and  their  posterity  of  heaven, 
and  opened  before  them  the  gates  of  hell !  Whereas, 
the  guilt  of  the  sins  that  we  commit  since  the  Redemp- 
tion, were  it  as  weighty  as  the  guilt  of  the  rest  of  the 
human  race,  can  be  removed  by  a  valid  and  efficacious 
reception  of  the  sacrament  of  Penance.  Moreover,  by 
going  to  confession  repeatedly,  man  can  obtain,  not 


SECOND    SERMON.  655 

only  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  but  also  an  increase  of 
sanctifying  grace.  ''God,"  as  St.  Augustine  remarks, 
*'  knew  how  to  draw  good  even  out  of  the  evil  of  sin 
for  the  salvation  and  sanctification  of  our  souls." 

Truly,  we  are  redeemed  with  a  superabundant  Re- 
demption! Even  for  the  close  of  our  life,  the  mercy 
of  Christ  has  prepared  for  us  a  sacrament,  the  sacra- 
ment of  Extreme  Unction.  By  it  man  recovers  even 
the  health  of  his  body,  and  obtains  a  prolongation  of 
his  life ;  or  certainly  gets  the  grace,  in  his  agony,  to 
overcome  the  tempter,  secure  to  himself  the  remis- 
sion of  the  sins  that  may  still  cling  to  his  soul,  and  a 
more  speedy  entrance  into  heaven. 

Man,  by  his  fall,  was  obliged  to  bear  the  yoke  of 
sin,  and  the  slavery  of  the  devil ;  but  by  redemption 
he  was  not  only  to  re-enter  the  state  of  sanctifying 
grace,  in  which  the  good  Angels  persevered,  but  even 
to  be  elevated,  by  a  special  sacrament,  above  the  dig- 
nity of  the  Angels.  This,  as  the  holy  Fathers  rightly 
affirm,  is  the  privilege  of  the  Priest,  who,  by  his  office, 
affords  more  protection  to  the  souls  of  the  faithful,  and 
assists  them  more  materially,  than  the  Angels  could 
ever  do. 

Finally,  that  alliance  between  man  and  woman,  for 
the  propagation  of  the  human  race,  was,  by  virtue  of 
the  Redemption,  not  only  to  attain  the  original  dig- 
nity with  which  God  invested  it  in  Paradise,  but  was 
also  raised  to  the  dignity  of  a  Sacrament ;  that  is,  sanc- 
tifying the  married  persons  and  typifying  the  Union 
of  Christ  with  His  Church. 


656         FEAST    OF    THE    CONSECRATION    OF    A    CHURCH. 

Yes,  O  Lord,  Thou  hast  redeemed  us  with  a  plenti- 
ful, a  superabundant  Redemption,  as  the  sight  and 
dedication  of  every  temple  of  God  especially  and  sol- 
emnly reminds  us ! 

May  every  Christian  show  himself  grateful  for  this 
gift  by  the  overflowing  affections  of  his  heart,  and 
prove  his  gratitude  by  the  zeal  he  has  to  lead  a  holy 
life,  and  by  a  faithful  correspondence  to  the  graces 
which  he  receives  as  a  child  of  his  Holy  Mother  the 
Church. — Amen ! 


THIRD   SERMON.  657 

THIRD  SERMON. 

**You  are  God's  building." — i  Cor.  iii,  9. 

EVERY  Church,  designed  for  the  service  of  God,  is 
a  representation  of  Christ's  own  Church,  and  an 
image  of  the  Kingdom  of  God  within  us.  Just  as  the 
building  dedicated  to  God  is  distinguished  by  certain 
marks  from  all  other  buildings,  so,  too,  the  children 
of  God  must  bear  about  them  certain  signs  by  which 
they  can  be  easily  known  from  unbelievers.  These 
features  must  be  such  as  to  show  the  indwelling  of 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

Let  us  consider  the  resemblance  which  a  Christian 
soul  bears  to  a  Christian  temple ;  and  in  studying  the  ex- 
terior and  inner  parts  of  the  material  structure,  we  will 
try  to  learn  their  correspondence  with  the  acts  of  wor- 
ship that  flow  from  the  heart  and  intellect  of  the  fol- 
lowers of  Christ.  Nor  will  our  reflection  be  fruitless 
of  good,  for  we  will  discover  that  there  is  a  striking 
parity  between  the  structure  of  wood  or  stone  and  the 
immortal  temple  made  by  the  hands  of  God :  that  the 
resemblance  is  borne  out  part  for  part  in  each. 

A  house  of  God  possesses  height,  length,  and 
breadth.  Besides,  it  stands  on  a  foundation,  and  its 
interior  is  embellished  with  altars,  pulpits,  confession- 
als, while  round  its  walls  hang  beautiful  paintings.  If  it 
have  pretensions  to  grandeur,  its  vaulted  roof  rests  on 
pillars  of  marble,  while  above  the  roof  there  tapers, 


658        FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A  CHURCH. 

heavenward,  a  spire  whence  issue  the  sweet  harmon- 
ies of  a  chime  of  bells. 

Let  us  call  to  mind  to-day  the  holy  meaning  of 
these  pi^operties  of  a  Church  in  relation  to  the  King- 
dom of  God  in  our  hearts,  so  that  we  may  become  and 
remain  real  living  temples  of  God. 

0  Mary,  whose  sacred  image  is  found  in  every 
Church,  thou  fair  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  grant 
that  our  hearts  may  become  as  thine,  and  that  such 
virtues  and  dispositions  as  adorned  thy  soul  in  the 
temple  of  Sion  may  ornament  our  hearts. 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God! 


I  said  that  every  building  raised  to  the  honor  and 
service  of  God  should  be  to  us  a  type  of  the  qualities 
of  the  temple  of  God  within  us,  and  also  an  incentive 
to  make  our  lives  such  that  the  words  of  the  Apostle 
may  be  verified  in  us:  "Know  you  not  that  your 
members  are  the  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  is 
in  you?" 

Let  us  begin  our  comparisons.  What  is  th&  foun- 
dation of  the  temple  within  us?  It  is  Faith,  ce- 
mented and  made  strong  by  great  humility  of  heart, 
through  which  we  submit  our  understanding  to  the 
doctrines  of  our  holy  religion.  This  faith  becomes 
capable  of  supporting  the  edifice,  which  is  to  be  the 
abode   of  God   for   all   eternity,  when   it  is  laid  far 


THIRD    SERMON.  659 

down  in  the  depths  oi  humility ;  in  fact,  it  is  then  that 
this  faith  becomes  efficacious,  and  it  must  have  this 
mark  in  order  to  be  pleasing  to  God.  We  can  not  lay 
this  foundation  without  the  help  of  God;  and  this 
help,  in  the  work  of  building,  is  Grace.  Without  this 
we  can  do  nothing.  But  God  gives  His  grace  only 
to  the  humble  ;  hence  the  conclusion  is  manifest. 

Peter  is  the  rock  upon  which  is  built  the  Church  of 
Christ,  and  on  Peter,  too,  is  built  our  temple — that  is 
to  say,  it  is  supported  by  obedience,  love,  and  fidel- 
ity, to  the  only  true  Church,  the  Holy  Roma7i  Catholic 
Church,  whose  foundation  is  Peter.  The  love  and  at- 
tachment to  her  is  a  proof  that  the  Kingdom  of  God 
is  within  us,  and  that  we  are  true  temples  of  God. 

''May  I  forget  my  right  hand  if  I  forget  thee,  O 
Church  of  Rome,"  cried  out  St.  Augustine. 

Every  willful  deviation  from  the  doctrines  of  the 
Roman  Church  shakes  the  foundation  of  God's  temple 
within  us  ;  the  house  of  the  Lord  crumbles,  and  only 
shapeless  ruins  remain! 

The  height  of  the  Church  figures  what  should  be 
the  loftiness  of  our  desires  and  hopes,  "If  you  have 
risen  with  Christ,  seek  that  which  is  above,"  says  St. 
Paul.  It  tells  us  that  our  thoughts  should  ever  be  of 
heaven,  and  that  our  exertions  should  be  constantly 
directed  to  the  attainment  of  eternal  happiness,  whilst 
it  reminds  us  of  the  character  that  should  distinguish 
the  true  children  of  God  from  the  children  of  the  world. 

The  roof  of  the  Church,  resting  upon  the  solid 
walls,  is  emblematic  of  the  imperishable  promises  of 


66o       FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A  CHURCH. 

Christ  to  His  Church,  picturing  the  crown  of  im- 
mortal glory,  which  shall  be  put  upon  every  true  child 
of  hers  in  the  city  of  God,  and  which  has  already  been 
granted  to  many  of  our  departed  friends. 

The  width  of  the  Church  represents  the  far-reach- 
ing love  of  God,  and,  besides,  reminds  us  of  the 
great  charity  that  we  should  bear  to  our  neighbor,  if 
we  desire  to  be  true  temples  of  God. 

The  length  symbolizes  the  constancy  with  which  we 
are  to  persevere  in  the  practice  of  virtue  and  pursue 
the  vocation  assigned  us  by  God,  for  ''he  alone  will 
be  saved  who  persevereth  unto  the  end." 

The  cross  crowning  the  spire  ever  holds  before  our 
minds  the  fact  that  the  Kingdom  of  God  is  within  us, 
in  so  far  as  we  love  the  cross — the  Church  itself,  es- 
pecially  if  it  be  of  Gothic  style,  is  cruciform  in  shape, 
and  again  impresses  upon  us  the  truth  that  the  re- 
ligion of  Christ  is  the  Gospel  of  the  cross. 

Th^  four  walls  rising  from  the  foundation  to  the  roof, 
picture  the  four  cardinal  virtues,  without  which  the  edi- 
fice of  virtue  is  not  properly  put  together,  and  without 
the  exercise  of  which,  it  is  clear,  that  the  virtue  we  prac- 
tice is  not  real  virtue  ;  they  are  prudence,  temperaiice, 
justice,  2ind fortitude.  Moreover,  unless  these  virtues 
are  genuine,  we  can  not  clearly  see  the  end,  which 
we  must  endeavor  to  attain;  nor  can  we,  if  we  put 
aside  these  virtues,  make  use  of  the  right  means  to 
obtain  our  end;  for  we  will  be  guilty  of  exaggeration, 
of  injury  to  fraternal  charity,  as  regards  his  goods, 
his  honor,  or  his  actions  before  God  and  man.     In  a 


THIRD    SERMON.  66 1 

word,  without  these  we  could  not  keep  on  steadily  in 
our  course  to  salvation. 

The  pillars  that  support  the  roof  of  a  Church  must 
stand  upon  good  foundations;  must  be  solid  and  in 
proportion.  So,  too,  in  our  inner  temple  we  must 
find  pillars  that  strengthen  the  edifice:  viz.,  the  eight 
beatitudes  : 

"  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit.  Blessed  are  the 
meek.  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn.  Blessed  are 
they  that  hunger  and  thirst  after  justice.  Blessed  are 
the  clean  of  heart.  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers. 
Blessed  are  they  that  suffer  persecution  for  justice* 
sake." 

Often,  in  the  course  of  our  lives,  we  put  partly  into 
practice  the  eight  beatitudes,  but  not  in  a  sufficient 
manner.  We  show  that  our  inner  temple  is  held 
up  by  those  pillars ;  but,  alas,  how  often  must  we  not 
acknowledge  their  unfitness  for  the  purpose  intended ! 
Why  is  this?  Because  they  are  not  so  much  founded 
on  faith  as  on  a  mere  natural  inclination  to  this  or 
that  virtue;  and  natural  virtues  can  not  stand  the 
shock  of  great  temptations. 

To  urge  us  on  to  attain  the  fulfillment  of  these  prom- 
ises, Christ  tells  us :  "I  and  My  Father  will  take  up 
our  abode  in  such  a  soul.'* 

Our  love  of  Jesus  Christ  must  ever  burn  before 
the  tabernacle  like  the  lamp  of  the  sanctuary,  as  a 
sign  of  our  everlasting  remembrance  of  Him,  from 
the  moment  of  our  awakening  till  that  of  retiring  to 
rest.    ''All  for  Jesus  !  '* 


662        FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A  CHURCH. 

Moreover,  the  spirit  of  prayer  must  pervade  our 
life  in  the  manner  suggested  to  us  by  the  house  of 
God,  which  is  ever  open,  day  and  night,  presenting 
itself  to  us  as  a  sacred  abode  of  prayer.  Every  good 
Christian  that  enters  therein  betakes  himself  immedi- 
ately to  that  sacred  occupation  in  order  to  honor 
God,  thank  Him,  praise  Him,  and  love  Him. 

This  spirit  of  perpetual  prayer  changes  our  interior 
into  a  temple  of  God,  making  it  holy  and  worthy  of 
the  Most  High. 

The  spire  rising  above  the  Church,  and  the  chime 
of  bells,  tells  us  that  it  is  not  enough  to  have  the 
Kingdom  of  God  within  us,  but  that  it  is  also  our 
duty  to  induce  our  neighbor,  to  the  best  of  our 
power,  to  become  God's  temple  for  the  love  of  Him, 
and  to  bear  in  his  life  the  marks  of  this  love.  This  we 
achieve  by  showing  good  example  at  all  times  and  in 
all  places. 

The  lives  of  the  Saints  stand  forth  in  the  Church 
like  so  many  spires  in  the  city  of  God,  and  call  out  to 
the  children  of  men :  We  have  reached  sanctity;  why 
can  you  not  do  likewise? 

Spires  are  not  always  solid,  though  they  seem  to  be. 
So  it  often  happens  that  deeds  which  seem  to  us  to  be 
virtue,  are  only  its  semblance ;  those  acts  are  the  meYe 
outcome  of  stubbornness,  self-love,  and  a  purely  natural 
inclination.  They  are  not  polished  off  by  the  love  of 
God  and  our  neighbor ;  nor  are  they  free  from  the  in- 
fluence of  places  and  persons. 

In  the  interior  of  the   Church  stands    the   Altar. 


THIRD    SERMON.  663 

Around  it  center  all  ceremonies  of  religious  worship. 
It  is  the  stone  of  sacrifice  upon  which  Christ  daily 
offers  Himself  as  a  holocaust  for  men.  The  altar  in  our 
soul  is  our  spirit  of  self-sacrifice,  our  willingness  to  yield 
up  all  for  Christ,  and  to  shed  our  heart's  blood  for  His 
sake. 

Nor  does  the  pulpit  fail  to  convey  its  lesson. 
From  it  are  announced  the  words  of  salvation,  which 
enable  us  to  give  an  account  of  our  faith,  as  the 
prophet  foretold  that  the  true  children  of  the  New 
Law  were  to  do,  and  as,  indeed,  was  done  by  the 
primitive  Christians. 

The  co7ifessio7ial  symbolizes  the  contrition  we  should 
have  for  our  past  vices  and  the  many  imperfections 
into  which  we  daily  fall,  and  should  cleanse  our  hearts. 

The  special  object  of  our  loving  veneration  must 
be  the  tabernacle,  in  which  Christ  is  ever  present  in 
the  most  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  altar.  We  must  ever 
be  mindful  of  His  continual  presence ;  and  this  thought 
should  occupy  our  minds  in  our  visits  to  Him,  both 
when  assisting  ^t  Mass  and  when  approaching  Holy 
Communion.  These  two  latter  practices  are  the  pulses 
that  indicate  the  state  of  our  Catholic  life. 

This  intercourse  with  Christ  in  the  holy  Eucharist, 
more  than  all  other  means,  is  the  one  best  suited  to 
change  our  interior  into  a  temple  of  God. 

The  sight  of  the  Church  and  the  sound  of  the 
bells  become  more  beautiful  and  impressive  when 
saints,  in  so  many  different  vocations  and  conditions 
of  life,  tell  us  that  they  have  reached  perfection  and 


664       FEAST  OF  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  A  CHURCH. 

great  merits  by  the  good  example  they  have  given  to 
the  world. 

As  in  the  course  of  the  year  our  Churches  are 
adorned  more  richly  on  feast-days,  and  the  peal  of  the 
bells  rings  out  more  solemnly,  so,  too,  should  we, 
children  of  the  Church,  celebrate  her  feasts  with  more 
than  ordinary  care  and  devotion. 

This  is  the  resemblance  between  the  outer  Church 
and  the  temple  of  our  hearts.  Remember  it  often. — 
Amen. 


FEAST  OF  ALL  SAINTS. 


FIRST    SERMON. 

"And  they  sang  the  canticle  of  Moses,  the  servant  of  God." — Apoc.  xv. 

IF  on  to-day's  festival  we  think  of  the  communion 
of  the  Saints  in  heaven,  we  will  undoubtedly  ex- 
claim within  our  soul :  **  Oh,  what  a  joy,  what  an  ec- 
stasy of  delight  will  there  be  in  heaven  on  this  glorious 
feast!" 

And  what  is  it  that  incites  the  hearts  of  our  breth- 
ren in  heaven  to  such  holy  rejoicings?  Ah,  it  is  the 
remembrance  of  their  victory — the  victory  which,  while 
on  earth,  they  gained  over  Satan,  the  world,  and  their 
own  evil  inclinations  !  They  lived  for  heaven,  fought 
for  heaven,  and  gained  heaven.  Their  joy,  then,  is  a 
victor's  joy,  the  greatest  and  sincerest  of  all  the  de- 
lights which  can  be  tasted  by  the  heart  of  man. 

To  show  that  in  truth,  on  this  day,  an  unbounded 
joy  reigns  In  heaven,  we  need  but  remind  you  of  the 
description  which  the  seer  St.  John,  in  the  Island  of 
Patmos,  gives  us  of  the  city  of  God.  ''And  I  heard 
them,"  he  says,  "  singing  the  canticle  of  Moses,  the 
servant  of  God."   It  was  the  re-echo  of  that  canticle 

which  the  children  of  Israel  entoned  on  the  shores  of 

(665} 


666  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

the  Red  Sea  after  God  had  destroyed  Pharaoh,  with 
all  his  warriors. 

By  saying  that  the  Blessed  sang  the  canticle  of 
Moses,  St.  John  wants  to  represent  to  us  the  inde- 
scribable sweetness  and  grandeur  of  the  canticle  of 
Victory  which  the  Blessed  in  heaven  chant  before  the 
throne  of  the  Almighty. 

/  want  to  explain  to-day  to  you  the  meaning  of  this 
Canticle  of  Moses  sung  in  Heaven. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  Saints,  lead  us  to  victory  in  our 
battle  on  earth,  that  we  may  entone  once  the  joyful 
songs  of  Saints  and  Angels  with  thee  in  Heaven ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God ! 


The  joy  that  fills  the  hearts  of  victorious  warriors  is 
proportioned  not  only  to  the  number  and  power  of 
the  conquered,  but  also  to  the  previous  danger  of 
defeat,  to  the  misery  and  wretchedness  that  would 
have  resulted  from  the  enemy's  victory,  and,  finally, 
to  the  positive  good  following  its  overthrow. 

Now,  in  the  case  of  the  victorious  Israelites,  all 
these  motives  of  joy  were  united  in  a  higher  degree 
than  in  any  earthly  victors  before  them  ;  and  yet  the 
joyful  songs  of  Israel  can  not  even  be  compared  with 
the  heavenly  hymns  in  which  Saints  and  Angels  give 
honor  and  praise  and  thanks  to  God  for  their  good 
fight  and  their  glorious  victory. 

In  the  first  place,  the  77iighty  number  and  dreadful 


FIRST    SERMON.  667 

power  of  the  conquered  enemy,  as  well  as  the  victor's 
narrow  escape  from  defeat,  increase  and  intensify  the 
joy  of  a  victorious  army.  How  great,  then,  must  have 
been  the  joy  of  the  Israelites ! 

It  was  a  dark  night ;  the  Egyptians  had  urged  the 
Israelites  to  leave  in  haste.  The  latter  had  hurried 
away  \)vithout  even  thinking  of  war  and  battle.  Sud- 
denly they  see  an  approaching  cloud  of  dust.  Pharaoh, 
with  his  mighty  army — horse,  foot,  and  chariot — is  at 
their  heels.  The  Israelites  have  no  arms  ;  the  cries 
of  their  wives  and  children  urge  them  to  try  their  ut- 
most to  seek  safety  in  flight.  But  even  this  is  in  vain, 
for  before  them  they  see  nothing  but  an  immense  ex- 
panse of  water. 

But  now  Moses  says  to  the  people:  ''Fear  not; 
stand  and  see  the  great  wonders  of  the  Lord  which 
He  will  do  this  day ;  for  the  Egyptians  whom  you  see 
now,  you  shall  see  no  more  forever." 

He  then  stretches  out  his  hand — the  waters  of  the 
Red  Sea  are  divided,  a  warm  wind  dries  the  bottom, 
and  the  Israelites  pass  through,  followed  by  Pharaoh 
with  hundreds  of  thousands  of  armed  warriors.  But 
the  eye  of  the  Lord  watches  and  looks  down  on  them 
from  above.  The  horses  of  the  Egyptians  are  fright- 
ened, the  wheels  fall  from  the  chariots,  the  waters 
sweep  down  in  floods  over  the  heads  of  the  sons  of 
Egypt,  and,  to  a  man,  they  are  swallowed  up  in  the 
depths  of  the  sea. 

At  dawn  the  bodies  of  the  drowned  Egyptians  float 

on  the  waters,  and  Israel,  with  its  six  hundred  thou- 
43 


668  FEAST   OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

sand  men  and  many  hundred  thousand  women,  raises 
its  voice  and  sings  before  the  Lord  a  song  of  thanks 
and  praise. 

But,  however  great  the  praises  and  thanks  of  a 
nation  saved  from  immediate  destruction  may  have 
been,  they  are  like  sounding  brass  when  compared  with 
the  hymns  of  victory  which  the  Saints  entone  in  the 
house  of  their  heavenly  Father.  For  each  and  every 
saved  soul  has  had  to  fight  against  all  the  powers  of 
hell,  against  numberless  fallen  angels  and  their  asso- 
ciates, the  world  and  the  flesh.  But  now  all  enemies 
are  crushed,  and  peace  reigns  eternally. 

Besides,  we  must  consider  the  great  dangers  that 
threatened  the  Saints  while  alive.  *'  Sister,"  said  a 
blessed  soul,  in  an  apparition,  to  a  friend  of  hers — 
*'  Sister,  I  am  saved.  But  it  is  only  now  that  I  under- 
stand the  dangers  of  life.  At  times,  in  certain  temp- 
tations and  occasions  of  sin,  I  had  hair-breadth  escapes 
from  hell.  If  the  Lord  in  His  endless  mercy  had  not 
stretched  out  His  saving  hand  to  me  then,  I  should 
now  be  buried  in  the  eternal  flames.  But  now,  no 
more  enemies,  no  more  dangers;  my  soul  sings  eter- 
nal praises  to  the  Lord." 

From  Pharaoh  and  the  Egyptians,  indeed,  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  had  nothing  more  to  fear.  But  were 
they  equally  sure  that  no  other  hostile  powers  would 
oppose  their  way  to  the  land  of  promise  ? 

No  care  of  this  sort  overshadows  the  happiness  of 
the  Saints.  All  is  secure  for  them,  and  they  are  free 
forever  from  dangers  and  enemies. 


FIRST    SERMON.  669 

The  joy  of  victory  increases  if  the  victory  sets  the 
victors  free  from  the  miseries  and  wretchedness  of  a 
painful  life.  Think  of  a  people  of  slaves  that  fights  for 
liberty  from  tyranny  and  despotism,  and  you  have  a 
picture  of  the  situation  of  the  Israelites.  Up  to  that 
time  they  had  served  as  slaves  in  labor  and  hardship, 
and  what  would  not  have  been  their  lot  had  they  been 
brought  back  to  Egypt  not  merely  as  slaves,  but  also 
as  enemies  and  prisoners  of  war ! 

Victory  dispelled  all  these  anxieties.  ''The  Lord  is 
a  warrior.  Almighty  is  His  name.  Pharaoh's  chariots 
and  his  army  He  hath  cast  into  the  sea  ;  his  chosen 
captains  are  drowned  in  the  Red  Sea.  Who  is  like  to 
Thee  among  the  strong,  O  Lord  ?  who  is  like  to  Thee, 
glorious  in  holiness,  terrible  and  praiseworthy,  doing 
wonders  ?" 

Joyous  though  this  canticle  of  Israel  be,  it  can  not 
compare  with  the  strains  of  the  Blessed  :  "The  former 
things  are  passed  away ;  God  has  wiped  away  all  tears 
from  the  eyes  of  His  servants ;  and  death  is  now  no 
more,  nor  mourning,  nor  weeping,  nor  sorrow  is  any 
more.'* 

The  bonds  of  Egypt  indeed  have  been  broken,  but 
new  troubles,  new  anxieties  arise  for  the  children  of 
Israel.  They  have  before  them  a  long  journey  through 
the  desert ;  and  even  when  this  journey  is  happily  com- 
pleted, they  will  live  only  in  another  part  of  the 
same  earth  that  has  been  cursed  by  its  own  Maker : 
''Thorns  and  thistles  shall  it  bring  forth  to  thee,  and 
in  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread."    The 


670  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

Saints,  on  the  contrary,  have  entered  a  land  where 
there  is  not  a  shadow  of  pain  nor  any  fear  of  hard- 
ship. 

Another  source  of  joy  in  victory  is  xh^  positive  good 
we  have  gained.  What  is  not  ourjoy  when  we  acquire 
some  temporal  good,  new  possessions,  fresh  honors, 
or  influence  over  new  nations !  Such  was  the  joy  of 
the  Israelites.  Freed  from  the  bonds  of  Egypt,  they 
were  to  enter  the  land  of  promise,  the  land  flowing 
with  milk  and  honey.  But  however  rich  Chanaan  may 
have  been,  it  still  was,  like  the  rest  of  the  earth,  a  val- 
ley of  tears.  Its  mightiest  king,  while  enjoying  more 
riches,  honors,  and  pleasures  than  any  mortal  before 
or  after,  cried  out  from  the  depths  of  his  burdened 
heart:  "Vanity  of  vanities,  and  all  is  vanity." 

How  different  are  the  joys  of  the  Blessed  in  Heaven ! 
They  enjoy  riches  and  pleasures  of  which  the  Apos- 
tle says:  **Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither 
hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive  what 
things  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him." 
Heaven  is  the  Society  of  Saints  and  Angels,  of  Jesus 
and  Mary.  God  Himself  says:  ''At  the  fountain  of 
waters  I  will  give  them  drink,  and  I  will  be  their  God, 
and  they  shall  be  My  sons." 

Heaven,  then,  is  God  Himself.  The  Saints  see  God 
face  to  face,  they  possess  God,  they  become  like  unto 
God  in  the  light  of  glory,  and  in  peace  and  love  they 
remain  glorified  with  God  forever.  How  can  we,  then, 
suppose  this  joy  to  be  equaled  by  the  joy  of  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel?    For  even   supposing  the   Israelites 


FIRST   SERMON.  67 1 

should  have  found  a  perfect  earthly  happiness  in  their 
promised  land,  they  still  had  the  graves  of  Adam  and 
Eve  and  of  all  the  Patriarchs,  reminding  them  that 
soon  they,  too,  should  rest  in  the  grave  and  molder 
into  the  dust  from  which  they  had  been  framed.  But 
the  bliss  of  the  Saints  lasts  eternally,  and  their  joyful 
Alleluias  resound  forever. 

And  even  considering  their  respective  numbers,  the 
joys  and  songs  of  the  Israelites  remain  far  behind  the 
jubilation  of  the  Saints.  The  Israelites  amounted  to 
six  hundred  thousand  men,  with  a  number  of  women 
and  children  in  proportion.  The  number  of  the  Blessed 
is  indicated  by  St.  John :  ''  After  this  I  saw  a  great  mul- 
titude, which  no  man  could  number,  of  all  nations  and 
tribes  and  peoples  and  tongues,  standing  before  the 
throne,  and  in  sight  of  the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white 
robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands  ;  and  they  cried  with 
a  loud  voice,  saying :  Salvation  to  our  God,  Who  sit- 
teth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb." 

And,  besides  all  this,  if  we  consider  the  immense 
joys  of  the  Blessed,  that  result  from  the  continual  in- 
crease of  their  number  by  the  arrival  of  souls  from  the 
Church  suffering,  who  does  not  feel  the  intense  strug- 
gling for  utterance  ! 

Oh,  that  I,  too,  were  among  the  number  of  the 
Blessed  !  that  I  were  at  least  certain  of  my  eternal 
happiness!  But  we  are  certain  of  our  eternal  s^va- 
tion  if  we  only  follow  the  example  of  the  Saints  ;  if 
we  avoid  sin  ;  if  we  are  faithful  in  our  daily  duties. 
On  these  conditions  we  too,  even,  perhaps  before  the 


672  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

next  Feast  of  All  Saints,  shall  unite  our  voices  with 
those  of  the  Blessed ;  ^we  too,  crowned  by  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  shall  triumph  among  the  bands  of  the 
Saints  and  Angels. 

The  Israelites  went  forth  out  of  Egypt.  They  killed 
a  Paschal  lamb,  with  the  blood  of  which  they  signed 
their  doors ;  they  stood  and  ate  hastily,  with  shoes  on 
their  feet  and  staves  in  their  hands.  On  their  journey 
they  followed  a  cloud  of  fire,  and  were  nourished  with 
manna. 

Now,  each  of  these  circumstances  is  symbolical. 
If  we  w4sh  to  attain  the  joys  of  Heaven  we  must  wash 
ourselves  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ;  we  must  leave 
the  fleshpots  of  Egypt — that  is,  the  world,  with  its 
pleasures  ;  we  must  stand  upright — that  is,  our  hearts 
must  be  free  from  earthly  desires ;  we  must  gird  our- 
selves with  the  spirit  of  self-denial.  Continual  thought 
of  approaching  Eternity  must  be  the  staff  to  guard  us 
through  life.  The  light  of  faith  is  our  cloud  of  fire. 
Occasions  and  temptations  to  sin  must  be  passed 
through  by  us  as  the  Red  Sea  was  by  the  Israelites. 
On  our  way  through  life  we  must  nourish  ourselves  not 
with  earthly  manna,  indeed,  but  with  the  heavenly — I 
mean  the  Eucharist. 

Let  us  be  ready ;  we  are  warned,  and  soon  we  shall 
take  part  in  the  triumph  of  All  Saints,  singing  with 
them  the  canticle  of  Moses  amid  the  Alleluias  of  all 
heavenly  hosts. — Amen! 


SECOND    SERMON.  673 


SECOND  SERMON.     Y'*^'^'/'*'^^^ 

"Considering  the  end  of  their  conversation,  follow  their  faith." — Heb( 

xiii,  7. 

WHEN  one  lives  in  distress,  and  hears  of  the  hap- 
piness of  others,  he  naturally  asks  himself  the 
question:  How  is  it  that,  although  born  of  parents 
of  the  most  humble  condition,  he  is  held  in  such  high 
honor,  and  is  esteemed  by  so  many?  Thus  we  hear 
of  an  Emperor,  once  a  swine-herd ;  of  a  Pope,  the  son 
of  a  carpenter.  And  how  many  similar  examples  do 
we  not  witness  in  America  ?  Men  of  low  birth  have 
worked  themselves  up  to  the  highest  dignities  of  the 
State ;  and  many  from  beggars  have  become  million- 
aires. Here  again  the  thought  naturally  suggests 
itself:  How  did  their  success  begin  ?  How  did  they 
manage  to  succeed  so  well? 

Hence  it  is  that,  looking  into  heaven  in  spirit,  and 
thinking  upon  those  who  have  entered  that  happy 
abode,  this  question  will  also  force  itself  upon  us: 
What  were  the  thoughts  that  occupied  the  minds  of 
the  Saints  while  here  on  earth?  What  means  did 
they  employ  to  attain  such  a  degree  of  Christian  per- 
fection ? 

I  say  to  you  :  Ask  the  Saints,  and  they  will  answer 
you  from  heaven. 

How  fitting  it  Is  to  examine  the  motives  that  act- 
uated their  works,  and  guided  them  to  the  land  of 
promise!  Can  there,  indeed,  be  one  more  appropri- 
ate to  the  day? 


674  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

0  Mary,  Queen  of  all  Saints,  Mirror  of  Justice,  ob- 
tain for  us  the  favor  of  the  Saints,  that  we  may  follow 
their  example  and  become  holy! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  lesus,  to  the 
greater  honor  of  God ! 

When  we  name  the  Saints  and  speak  of  them,  we 
do  not  seem  to  consider  them  as  ordinary  beings,  but 
rather  as  more  than  mortal,  whom  God  has  raised  to 
more  than  human  perfection.  Yet  this  is  not  alto- 
gether the  case.  The  Saints  were  men  as  we  are. 
They  were  children  of  Adam,  born  in  sin,  and  sub- 
ject to  the  stain  of  original  sin,  as  we  all  have  been. 
As  they  grew  in  age,  they  were  not  free  from  temp- 
tation. They  were  frail  children  of  Adam,  who,  as  St. 
Paul  declares,  felt  in  themselves  the  sting  of  concu- 
piscence, and  were  exposed  to  the  dangers  of  being 
lost  forever. 

They  lived  as  ordinary  men,  and  yet  their  lives 
were  extraordinary.  What  was  ordinary  in  them, 
and  belonged  to  their  state  of  life,  was  not  done 
in  a  common  way,  but  rather  in  a  perfect  and  holy 
manner.  Why  this  difference?  I  answer:  Because 
they  lived  in  the  full  resoluteness  of  those  principles 
that  faith  taught  them,  and  were  more  faithful  in  ob- 
serving them  than  we  are.  You  may  ask :  What 
are  those  principles  ?  I  answer :  Ask  the  Saints 
themselves,  they  will  tell  you  from  above. 

Speak,  ye  Saints  of  God,  you  holy — \name  of  pa- 
trons of  this  Church,  etc.~\ — and  all  ye  Saints !  What 


SECOND    SERMON.  675 

did  ye  meditate  upon  that  your  lives  became  so  holy  ? 
Listen  to-day  to  the  answer  from  heaven. 

Our  thought  was :  /  serve  God,  Do  ye  hear  ? 
Think  on  this,  and  you,  too,  will  lead  a  holy  life. 
Why?  Because  God  is  infinite  perfection,  and  de- 
serves an  infinite  homage.  Indeed,  no  mortal,  nay, 
not  even  Mary  herself,  can  give  this  homage  to 
God.  The  blessed  Manhood  of  Christ,  in  hypostatic 
union  with  His  Divinity,  is  alone  capable  of  render- 
ing to  the  Father  the  adoration  due  to  Him.  What 
lesson  does  this  teach  us?  It  teaches  us  that,  though 
we  had  the  ardor  of  Mary,  and  of  all  the  Saints,  we 
would  still  be  obliged  to  acknowledge  before  God :  I 
am  a  useless  servant.  My  God,  to  Thee  belongs  a 
much  greater  zeal  in  Thy  service  than  we  can  give. 

Ye  Saints,  what  made  you  so  holy  ?  Listen  to  the 
answer:  Our  thought  was,  God  sees  me. 

Think  on  this  as  did  the  Saints,  walk  constantly 
according  to  their  example,  in  the  presence  of  God, 
and,  as  they  did,  so  will  you  live  holy.  God  Himself 
assured  us  of  this  when  He  said  to  Abraham :  *'  Walk 
before  Me  and  be  perfect."  Try  this !  Walk  only  one 
entire  day  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  say  to  your- 
selves, ten,  twenty  times  a  day,  at  the  beginning  and 
the  end  of  your  work :  God  sees  me !  and  the  inspi- 
rations of  the  Holy  Ghost  will  be  multiplied  within 
you,  and  urge  you  to  live  in  a  holy  manner.  You  will 
be  inspired  to  make  good  resolutions,  and  will  receive 
strength  to  live  according  to  them. 

Ye  Saints  of  God,  what  made  you  so  holy,  so  ear- 


6"] 6  FEAST   OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

nest,  and  humble  in  the  service  of  God?  Hear  the 
answer :  The  thought  that  filled  our  mind  was  what  I 
do,  I  do  it  for  God. 

Do  you  likewise  think  of  this  with  the  same  assi- 
duity, and  you,  too,  will  live  holy  in  the  strength  and 
vigor  of  a  pure  Intention. 

This  Is  done  even  in  the  world.  Whosoever  does 
any  thing  for  a  dignitary  of  this  earth— for  a  Lord,  a 
King,  or  an  Enperor — on  whose  kindness  depends 
the  happiness  of  this  whole  life,  that  man  certainly 
will  make  all  possible  endeavors  to  do  his  work  as 
perfectly  as  he  can,  so  that  it  may  be  presentable  to 
this  Lord,  King,  Ruler,  or  Benefactor. 

Ye  Saints  of  God,  what  made  you  so  holy?  Listen 
to  the  answer :  It  is  this  thought :  either  I  must  become 
holy  and  go  to  heaven,  or  I  shall  be  damned.  Either 
I  must  live  in  grace,  and  be  in  the  company  of  the 
blessed,  or  I  shall  fall  into  sin,  perish,  and  be  num- 
bered with  the  throngs  of  evil  spirits  and  condemned 
sinners.  "  Not  to  go  forward  In  the  way  of  perfection 
is  to  go  backward,"  St.  Bernard  says.  Whoever  does 
not  swim  against  the  stream,  him  the  stream  will  sweep 
along  in  its  course.  If  I  do  not  become  entirely  holy 
in  life,  though  I  should  die  In  the  state  of  grace,  the 
fires  of  Purgatory  must  cleanse  me  unto  holiness. 
Hence  it  is  better  to  labor  and  suffer  meritoriously 
now,  than  to  endure  great  torments  without  merit 
hereafter. 

And  mark  this  well.  Perhaps  none  of  you  have 
ever  thought  of  It.    And  still  It  is  one  of  the  teach- 


SECOND    SERMON.  677 

ings  of  the  Church  upon  which  the  Saints  continually 
meditated.  Should  we  not  reach  the  degree  of  sanc- 
tity to  which  God  calls  us  as  the  Saints  did,  who  are 
now  raised  to  the  honors  of  the  altar,  we  may  run  the 
risk  of  being  lost  forever. 

For  you  it  may  be  either  to  be  high  in  heaven,  or 
not  to  be  there  at  all.  Remember  Judas.  He  was 
either  to  have  a  place  in  heaven  among  the  Apos- 
tles, or  to  be  excluded  altogether  from  the  company 
of  the  Saints.  The  degree  of  holiness,  which  corre- 
sponds to  this  glory,  depends,  perhaps,  upon  one  prof- 
fered grace — upon  the  use  or  abuse  we  make  of  it.  A 
chain,  be  it  the  longest,  if  one  link  is  missing,  is  falling. 

It  is  the  assurance  of  the  Lord,  Who  said:  "The 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  mustard  seed." 
The  lives  of  the  Saints  bear  testimony  to  this. 

In  their  lives  things  apparently  small  took  place; 
and  had  they  not,  on  those  occasions,  listened  to  the 
inspirations  of  grace,  they  would  never  have  become 
such  great  Saints ;  nay,  perhaps  they  would  have  been 
lost. 

Call  to  mind  St.  Anthony.  Had  he  not  listened  to 
the  inspiration  of  God,  which  said:  ''  Go  to  Mass  to- 
day ; "  had  he  not  heard  the  words  of  the  Gospel :  •*  If 
thou  wilt  be  perfect,  sell  what  thou  hast,  give  it  to  the 
poor,  and  follow  Me,"  he  would  likely  have  remained, 
during  life,  in  the  possession  of  his  worldly  goods; 
would  have  set  his  mind  on  gold ;  would  not  have  re- 
tired to  the  desert,  and  would  never  have  become  the 
patriarch  of  innumerable  Saints.    The  woes  of  riches 


6j^  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

would  have  befallen  him;  and,  mayhap,  he  would  be 
now  a  reprobate.  Behold  the  mustard  seed!  Like- 
wise, had  John  of  God  not  listened  to  the  inspiration: 
*' Go  to-day  to  the  sermon;"  had  he  not  done  it  on 
that  particular  day;  had  he  not  heard  that  sermon, 
which  made  him  a  Saint  instantaneously,  although  he 
was  a  sinner  when  he  entered  the  church, — I  ask, 
would  he  be  a  Saint  to-day,  or  would  he  not  rather  be 
among  the  damned  ? 

Do  you  know  to  which  grace  God  has  attached  your 
salvation  ?\  You  do  not.  Therefore,  make  use  of  every 
grace  which  the  Lord  offers  you.  Do  this,  and  you  will 
be  holy. 

Ye  Saints  of  God,  what  made  you  holy?  Listen  to 
the  answer :  This  thought, — The  more  assiduous  I  am, 
the  better  and  lighter  becomes  the  work,  and  the 
greater  the  merit  thereof.  Think  on  this,  and  you, 
too,  will  acquire  merit,  as  did  the  Saints,  and  gather 
full  sheaves  for  the  granary  of  heaven. 

Ye  Saints,  what  made  you  so  holy?  Listen  to  the 
answer :  This  was  our  reflection, — Life  is  but  one.  Only 
once  have  I  the  opportunity  to  reap  merits  for  heaven. 
Nozu,  or  never!    Oh,  what  an  all-important  principle! 

Not  without  a  special  dispensation  of  divine  Provi- 
dence does  the  Feast  of  All  Saints  precede  that  of 
All  Souls, — that  reminder  of  certain  death, — that  re- 
minder of  the  fleeting  nature  of  time!  Death  and 
time  cease  together!  The  harvest  is  over!  Eternity 
begins ! 

*'Yes,  time,  thou  art  precious  as  God   Himself," 


SECOND     SERMON.  679 

cried  St.  Chrysostom, — for  time  Is  the  only  means  by 
which  we  can  insure  our  union  with  God  forever,  and 
increase  His  glory.  Were  we  able  to  see  every  even- 
ing all  the  crowns  that  we  have  lost  during  the  day, 
not  only  because  we  have  sinned,  but  because  we 
have  not  made  use  of  all  the  hours  and  minutes  of  the 
day  in  the  service  of  God, — with  what  fervor  would 
we  not  live  the  following  day ! 

Hence,  think  daily  of  your  last  hour,  and  ask  your- 
self: When  the  moment  comes,  and  my  heart  beats 
for  the  last  time,  how  would  I  then  desire  to  have 
spent  my  life  ?  Holily!  Bilt  then  it  will  be  too  late ! 
Now,  I  have  it  in  my  power;  but  then,  as  my  life  has 
been,  so  will  be  my  death !  If  I  have  lived  in  luke- 
warmness,  the  pangs  of  the  tepid  Christian  at  death 
await  me !  On  the  contrary,  if  I  have  lived  with  the  zeal 
of  the  Saints,  then  will  I  certainly  die  the  precious 
and  consoling  death  of  the  just.  May  be,  a  death  even 
without  Purgatory. 

Ye  Saints,  what  made  you  so  holy?  Oh,  we  thought, 
if  I  die  holily,  I  shall  go  straight  to  heaven.  My  judg- 
ment shall  be  without  judgment,  and  I  shall  hear  the 
invitation  of  the  Lord:  ''Enter  thou  into  My  joy." 

Finally,  the  Saints  of  heaven  ask  us:  Why  do 
you  question  us  so  often?  Children  of  men,  do  you 
not  know  where  we  are  ?  In  the  kingdom  of  recom- 
pense !  Should  we  be  sorry  for  any  thing,  it  would  be 
that  we  did  not  live  more  holily,  and  did  not  labor  and 
suffer  more  for  heaven. 

But  you    may  ask :  Must  J  not  then  receive  special 


68o  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

grace  from  God  to  live  thus?  I  answer:  And  thou 
shah  have  it,  if  thou  prayest  for  it  with  an  upright 
heart;  not,  indeed,  because  of  thy  own  merits,  but 
because  of  the  infinite  merits  of  Christ. 

All  depends  on  this:  That  thou  be,  at  present,  as 
earnest  and  sincere  as  the  Saints.  Then  wilt  thou  be 
able  to  say  before  God :  Lord,  Thou  seest  my  heart ; 
I  am  in  earnest ;  I  have  said  it,  now  do  I  begin,  and 
I  will  live  up  to  the  principles  of  the  Saints.  Give 
me  Thy  efficacious  grace. 

May  all  the  Saints  intercede  for  us,  that  we  may 
obtain  these  graces.    All  heaven  says :  Amen !  Amen  1 


« 


THIRD   SERMON.  68 1 


THIRD  SERMON. 

**Your  reward  is  very  great  in  heaven." — Matt,  v,  12. 

SHOULD  we  desire,  in  some  measure,  to  antici- 
pate the  fullness  of  the  bliss  that  the  Saints  enjoy 
in  heaven,  we  need  only  recall  to  mind  what  Faith 
teaches  us  concerning  the  joy  and  happiness  of 
Heaven.  In  this  consideration,  let  us  follow  the  advice 
of  St.  Paul,  and,  even  while  upon  earth,  gaze,  as  in  a 
mirror,  upon  the  joys  of  heaven ;  and  w^e  will  under- 
stand that  all  the  joys  of  this  world  are  likewise  found 
in  heaven,  but  in  an  immeasurably  higher  degree. 

And  still  there  are  Christians  who  think  and  say : 
*' There  is  a  heaven;  but,  alas,  how  little  we  know  of 
it,  and  of  what  is  therein  contained!  "  What  a  delu- 
sion! I  say,  on  the  contrary:  ''We  know  enough, 
and  so  much,  indeed,  that  it  is  inconceivable  how, 
when  once  we  have  earnestly  reflected  on  what  Faith 
teaches  us  about  heaven,  we  do  not  continually  carry 
the  thought  of  that  blessed  abode  in  our  minds,  live 
for  heaven,  long  for  heaven,  and  exclaim,  with  holy 
David:  "Who  will  give  me  wings  like  a  dove,  and  I 
will  fly  and  be  at  rest  ?  Woe  is  me  that  my  sojourn  is 
prolonged !  When,  when,  O  Lord,  shall  I  stand  in 
Thy  presence?" 

In  order  to  see  this  truth  more  deafly,  we  need  but 
question  the  Saints  themselves,  upon  whose  exultation 
we  are  meditating. 


682  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

''Where  are  ye? ''  They  will  give  us  their  answer 
from  heaven. 

0  Mary,  thou,  whose  joy  is  above  that  of  all  the 
Angels  and  Saints  in  the  bliss  of  heaven,  assist  us, 
that  we  may  one  day  share  that  joy  in  the  commun- 
ion of  all  the  Saints ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God! 


It  happened  once  that  an  aged  servant  of  God  met 
a  man  who  seemed  to  be  entirely  buried  in  grief,  and 
said  to  him:  ''Art  thou  a  Christian?  Dost  thou  be- 
lieve that  there  is  a  heaven  awaiting  thee?  If  so, 
how  canst  thou  mourn?  Let  them  grieve  who  never 
have  heard  of  heaven  !  Let  them  be  downcast  who 
do  not  believe  in  heaven !  " 

To  appreciate  this  truth,  it  is  merely  necessary  to 
reflect  on  where  the  Saints  of  God  are,  and  to  con- 
sider the  bliss  they  there  enjoy ;  for  all  the  happiness 
they  enjoy  is  within  our  reach. 

And,  as  life  is  so  short  and  heaven  our  approaching 
destiny  forever,  is  it  not  proper  that  we  ask  the  Saints 
to-day:  "  Where  are  ye?  "  Listen  to  their  answer  as  it 
descends  from  heaven:  ''We  are  in  the  land  oi prom- 
ise;  in  the  land  where  many  meet  and  none  do  part. 
What  joy  when  we  found  there  those  whom  we  loved 
on  earth,  who  served  God  with  us,  whom  death  had 
torn  from  us,  and  with  whom  we  now  enjoy  life  ever- 


THIRD    SERMON.  683 

lasting!"  Dost  thou  hear  this,  afflicted  soul?  Hast 
thou  lost  relatives  and  acquaintances?  Hast  thou  the 
hope  that  they  died  a  holy  death?  Console  thyself! 
Rejoice  and  sing  the  jubilee  of  the  Saints !  Soon  thou 
wilt  see  them  again. 

"Ye  Saints  of  God,  where  are  ye?"  Listen  to 
their  answer:  "We  are  \Xi paradise.  We  behold  the 
good  things  of  the  Lord  in  the  land  of  the  living." 
Paradise  means  that  part  of  creation  which  expands 
over  the  regions  of  the  starry  firmament. 

There  is  a  proverb  which  says:  "See  Naples  and 
die."  Still,  what  is  Naples?  What  is  the  beauty  of 
the  earth,  even  in  its  most  charming  spot?  All  these, 
in  God's  sight,  are  as  thistles  and  thorns — the  husks 
with  which  He  feeds  the  sinner  for  the  little  moral 
good  he  does  during  life. 

A  God,  infinitely  beautiful,  blessed,  and  at  the 
same  time  Almighty,  is  able  to  create  more  than  the 
dust  of  this  world.  Yet,  even  of  this  earthly  home, 
how  little  do  we  possess!  Poor  man,  do  you  hear 
the  call  from  heaven?  "The  heavens  are  mine;  all 
mine."  Thus  shalt  thou,  too,  soon  cry  out.  Rejoice 
and  be  jubilant,  and  cry  to  the  Saints:  We  come 
soon,  soon! 

"Where  are  ye,  Saints  of  God?"  Hear  their  an- 
swer from  heaven:  "We  are  in  the  kingdom  of  r^- 
wardy  The  greatness  of  which  reward  no  eye  hath 
seen,  nor  ear  heard ;  neither  hath  it  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man  to  conceive.    Oh,  too  much,  too  much ! 

Thus  exult  the  Saints.    They  are  in  the  land  oi  joy,  of 
44 


684  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

perfect  joy ;  and  there  is  no  shadow  of  sorrow,  no  grief, 
no  misery,  forever.  ^ 

''I  heard  a  voice  from  the  throne,  which  said: 
There  shall  be  neither  suffering,  nor  complaining,  nor 
misery,  nor  want,  nor  separation,  nor  death.  What 
was,  has  gone  by.  The  Lord  has  dried  the  tears  from 
the  eyes  of  His  own  forever."  Thus  writes  St.  John, 
who,  in  ecstasies,  had  got  a  glimpse  of  heaven. 

Child  of  man,  is  it  labor  that  weighs  thee  down, 
is  it  sickness,  grief,  persecution,  that  embitters  thy 
life?  Think  on  heaven.  Soon  thou  wilt  be  in  the 
kingdom  of  rewa7^d  and  joy.  Persevere,  and  thou 
shalt  enter  forever  into  the  joy  of  the  Lord.  Oh, 
what  a  consolation !  Yes,  ye  Saints,  we  come  soon  to 
the  kingdom  of  joy. 

''Where  are  ye,  ye  Saints?"  Hear  the  answer 
from  heaven:  ''We  enjoy  the  communion  of  all  the 
Angels  and  Saiiits — we  entered  into  the  communion  of 
their  blessedness  and  glory."  Nor  is  this  all,  for  the 
Lord  not  only  rewards  every  one  according  to  his 
works,  but  there  is  also  a  participation  of  each  in  the 
bliss  of  all. 

Hearest  thou,  O  melancholy  soul?  What  is  it  that 
casts  thee  down?  Art  thou  alone  and  abandoned  on 
earth?  Are  all  whom  thou  lovest  and  who  were  dear 
to  thee,  dead?  Soon  thou,  also,  wilt  sing  thy  canticle 
of  joy  in  heaven:  "I  see  all  the  Angels,  the  Arch- 
angels, the  Principalities,  the  Powers,  the  Virtues,  the 
Dominations,  the  Thrones,  the  Cherubim,  the  Seraphim, 
and  I  enter  into  the   bliss   and   love   of  all  the  holy 


THIRD    SERMON.  685 

Virgins,  Confessors  and  Martyrs,  of  the  Patriarchs  ancj 
Prophets,  of  the  beloved  Apostle  of  Christ,  St.  John, 
and  of  St.  Joseph  ?  Why  should  I  bewail  you,  ye  holy 
acquaintances  and  relatives  ?  Soon  will  I  share  with 
you  your  everlasting  joy." 

"Where  are  ye  now,  ye  Saints  of  God?"  "With 
Mary  dind /esuSy'"  echoes  the  answer.  "  What  is  mine 
is  thine:"  thus  cries  Mary  to  every  saved  child  of 
hers,  and  Jesus  fulfills  His  promise:  "To  the  victor 
I  will  give  to  sit  with  Me  on  My  throne." 

"  Where  are  ye,  ye  Saints  of  God?"  Hear  the  an- 
swer: "Near  God,  with  God,  in  God."  "I  Myself," 
says  the  Almighty,  "  am  thy  reward  exceeding  great." 
Remember  this:  God,  the  never-ending  happiness, 
shall  soon  be  thy  lot  and  portion ;  and,  oh,  in  what 
a  union!  There  is  no  expression  for  it  in  human 
language. 

"We  shall  see  Him  as  He  is,"  as  St.  John  tells  us. 
"They  shall  be  like  God,"  says  Christ  Himself. 

Christian  soul,  how  canst  thou  grieve,  when  thou 
thinkest  on  the  jubilee  of  the  Saints,  which  thou  art 
soon  to  share?  Hear  their  call  from  heaven:  "We 
see  God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost." 
Thus  they  shout  in  thunders  of  Alleluias:  "We  are 
now  united  to  God,  submerged  in  the  never-ending 
power,  wisdom,  holiness,  mercy,  truth,  majesty,  and 
magnificence  of  God,  and  lost  in  His  infinite  beauty 
and  blessedness  and  love.  We  are  one  with  God  as 
His  godlike  representations." 

I  will  give  you  an  illustration :  Suppose  an  acquaint- 


6S6  FEAST    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

ancc,  a  father,  brother,  friend,  or  bridegroom  were 
to  come  from  afar,  and  you  did  not  know  it,  and  he 
were  to  stand  at  the  door  behind  a  curtain.  You  can 
not  see  him,  but  there  is  in  the  room  a  mirror,  in 
which  his  image  is  reflected.  Looking  at  the  mirror, 
you  would  cry  out:  '*Oh,  it  is  my  father,  brother, 
friend,  or  husband!" 

Were  it  possible  for  this  man  to  impart  his  life  to 
the  image  shadowed  in  the  mirror,  we  could  say,  at 
once:  ''It  is  he!"  This  mirror  in  heaven  is  the  light 
of  glory,  in  which  the  soul  sees  the  image  of  God  re- 
flected, of  Whose  divine  life  she  now  partakes.  Oh, 
what  a  place  of  divine  bliss ! 

Christian  soul,  when  thou  takest  seriously  to  heart 
the  answer  that  the  Saints  have  just  given  from 
heaven,  then  must  thou  say:  "Beautiful  heaven,  thee 
must  I  possess,  cost  what  it  may — labor,  suffering, 
blood,  and  life  itself.  How  glad  must  thou  not  be  if 
thou  reflectest  that  it  depends  on  thee  alone  to  be- 
come truly  holy.  Sin  is  theronly  hinderance  that  pre- 
sents itself  in  thy  way.  But  there  is  neither  man  nor 
devil  capable  of  forcing  thee  to  sin.  Man  is  free, 
and  with  the  grace  of  God  is  stronger  than  the  whole 
world,  and  all  flesh,  nay,  even  stronger  than  hell  it- 
self 

Of  like  strength  is  virtue,  whith  we  must  practise, 
in  order  to  multiply  our  joys  in  heaven.  It  is  true 
that  men  and  hell  are  able  to  prevent  us  from  fulfill- 
ing this  or  that  work  of  virtue  and  zeal :  but  nothing 
in  the  world  can   hinder  us  from  doing  God's  will, 


THIRD    SERMON.  687 

from  SO  doing  what  He  expects  of  us,  that  we  may 
go  forward,  meritoriously,  on  the  path  of  Christiaij 
perfection.  These  practices  of  virtue  are  presented  to 
us  in  the  words  of  Christ  Himself,  words  that  the 
Church  repeats  to  us  in  the  gospel  of  to-day,  the 
feast  of  All  Saints  :  "  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit. 
Blessed  are  the  meek.  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn. 
Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and  thirst  after  justice. 
Blessed  are  the  clean  of  heart.  Blessed  are  the  merci- 
ful. Blessed  are  the  peace-makers.  Blessed  are  they 
that  suffer  persecution  for  justice'  sake.  Exceedingly 
great  is  their  reward  in  heaven."  It  is  Christ  Him- 
self who  gives  us  this  assurance. 

Live  up  to  these  eight  beatitudes,  after  the  example 
of  the  Saints  on  earth,  and  soon  shalt  thou  rejoice  in 
communion  with  them  in  heaven  through  Him,  the 
King  of  All  Saints. — Amen. 


FEAST  OF  ALL  SOULS. 


'  FIRST  SERMON. 

**  When  shall  I  come  and  appear  before  the  face  of  God  ?  " — Psalms  xli,  3. 

ON  the  Feast  of  All  Souls,  and  whenever  we  are  re- 
minded of  Purgatory,  we  can  not  help  thinking  of 
the  dreadful  pains  which  the  souls  in  Purgatory  have 
to  suffer,  in  order  to  be  purified  from  every  stain  of 
sin  ;  of  the  excruciating  torments  they  have  to  undergo 
for  their  faults  and  imperfections,  and  how  thoroughly 
they  have  to  atone  for  the  least  offenses  committed 
against  the  infinite  holiness  and  justice  of  God. 

It  is  but  just,  therefore,  that  we  should  condole  with 
them,  and  do  all  that  we  can  to  deliver  them  from  the 
flames  of  Purgatory,  or,  at  least,  to  soothe  their  pains. 

Sufferings,  however,  are  not  the  only  cause  which 
renders  the  state  of  the  poor  souls  deplorable  in  our 
eyes,  and  moves  us  to  commiseration.  There  is  yet 
another  reason,  which,  though  it  occurs  less  frequently 
to  our  minds,  yet,  if  duly  considered,  will  prove  a  pow- 
erful incentive  to  charitable  exertion  in  behalf  of  the 
souls  of  our  departed  brethren.  I  allude  to  their  ar- 
dent yearning  for  God,  and  their  sincere  desire  of 
being  united  with  Him  forever  in  heaven;  a  desire, 
which  as  long  as  it  is  not  satisfied,  will  be  no  less  pain- 
ful to  them  than  the  keenest  flames  of  their  place  of  tor- 
ture.   We  should,  then,  with  the  same  eagerness  with 


FIRST    SERMON.  689 

which  we  try  to  deliver  the  poor  souls  from  the  pain 
of  fire,  endeavor  to  obtain  for  them  the  accomplish- 
ment of  their  ardent  longing  to  be  united  with  their 
heavenly  Spouse.    I  say: 

All  that  can  increase  the  pain  of  desire  and  eager 
yearning  in  our  hearts^  makes  the  longing  of  the  poor 
souls  after  God  and  heaven  immeasurably  great  and 
tormenting. 

Let  us  now  reflect  on  this,  and  endeavor,  if  possible, 
to  open  for  them  to-day  the  gates  of  their  heavenly 
home. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  mercy,  obtain  for  us  the  grace 
to  hasten  to  the  relief  of  thy  suffering  children  in  Pur- 
gatory, and  to  offer  them,  even  this  day,  to  thy  mater- 
nal embrace ! 

1  address  you,  dear  Christians,  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  to  the  greater  glory  of  God  ! 


Theologians  rightly  maintain  that  the  pain  of  the 
damned  in  hell  is  a  twofold  one — namely,  that  oi  fire 
and  that  of  loss  of  the  beatific  vision  or  contemplation 
of  the  unveiled  splendor  of  the  Divinity  and  the  other 
delights  of  heaven. 

This  last  pain  torments  the  damned  still  more,  in- 
creases their  sorrow  and  despair  to  a  higher  degree 
than  all  the  suffering  which  they  undergo  in  the  ex- 
piating flames. 

Now,  in  like  manner  is  the  agony  of  the  souls  in 
Purgatory  twofold — namely :  the  pain  of  the  purifying 


690  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS.    \ 

flames;  and  of  the  delay  in  beholding  God  and  enjoy- 
ing the  other  pleasures  that  await  them  in  heaven. 
To  comprehend  this  more  clearly,  we  need  but  con- 
sider the  pain  which  an  ardent  longing  for  that  which 
is  most  dear  to  us  produces  in  our  hearts,  as  long  as 
it  is  withheld  from  us,  and  then  compare  our  state 
with  that  of  the  poor  afflicted  souls. 

The  first  source  or  cause  of  a  desire  to  be  delivered 
from  any  state  in  life  is,  when  that  state  is  connected 
with  great  embarrassment  and  afflictions.  Hence  it  is 
that  the  sick  long  so  eagerly  for  the  presence  of  the 
physician  and  for  the  medicine  that  will  cure  them; 
in  like  manner  the  starving  long  for  bread  and  nour- 
ishment ;  the  thirsty,  for  water ;  the  poor,  for  the  sen- 
tence of  the  judge,  that  will  declare  them  heirs  to 
riches,  and  save  them  from  destitution.  So  also  does 
the  wayfarer  upon  the  billows  of  the  stormy  ocean  sigh 
for  the  port,  yearn  to  reach  the  place  where  a  happy 
future  awaits  him ;  and  so  does  the  prisoner  in  his 
dreary  cell  anxiously  expect  the  hour  of  his  delivery. 
How  great,  therefore,  must  not  be  the  desire  of  the 
poor  souls  to  be  ransomed  from  Purgatory. 

The  fire  of  Purgatory,  as  the  doctors  of  the  Church 
declare,  is  as  intense  as  that  of  the  abode  of  hell ;  with 
this  difference,  that  it  has  an  end.  Yea  !  it  may  be 
that  to-day  a  soul  in  Purgatory  is  undergoing  more 
agony,  more  excruciating  suffering  than  a  damned 
soul,  which  is  tormented  in  hell  for  a  few  mortal  sins  ; 
while  the  poor  soul  in  Purgatory  must  satisfy  for  mil- 
lions of  venial  sins. 


FIRST    SERMON.  69 1 

All  the  pains  which  afflict  the  sick  upon  earth, 
added  to  all  that  the  martyrs  have  ever  suffered,  can 
not  be  compared  with  those  of  purgatory,  so  great  is 
the  punishment  of  those  poor  souls. 

We  read,  how  once  a  sick  person  who  was  very  im- 
patient in  his  sufferings,  exclaimed  :  ''  O  God,  take 
me  from  this  world  !  "  Thereupon  the  Guardian  Angel 
appeared  to  him,  and  told  him  to  remember  that,  by 
patiently  bearing  his  afflictions  upon  his  sick-bed,  he 
could  satisfy  for  his  sins  and  shorten  his  Purgatory. 
But  the  sick  man  replied  that  he  chose  rather  to  sat- 
isfy for  his  sins  in  Purgatory. 

The  poor  sufferer  died ;  and,  behold,  his  Guardian 
Angel  appeared  to  him  again,  and  asked  him  if  he  did 
not  repent  of  the  choice  he  had  made  of  satisfying  for 
his  sins  in  Purgatory  by  tortures  rather  than  upon 
earth  by  afflictions  ?  Thereupon  the  poor  soul  asked  of 
the  Angel :  "  How  many  years  am  I  now  here  in  these 
terrible  flames?"  The  Angel  replied:  "  How  many 
years  ?  Thy  body  upon  earth  is  not  yet  buried ;  nay. 
It  is  not  yet  cold,  and  still  thou  believest  already  thou 
art  here  for  many  years ! "  Oh,  how  that  soul  la- 
mented upon  hearing  this.  Great  indeed  was  its  grief 
for  not  having  chosen  patiently  to  undergo  upon  earth 
the  sufferings  of  sickness,  and  thereby  shorten  its  Pur- 
gatory. 

In  that  abode  of  sorrow  the  departed  souls  hunger 
after  the  possession  of  God,  and  with  so  famishing  a 
desire  that  nothing  on  earth  can  be  compared  with  it. 
They  thirst  after  the  fountain  of  eternal  life  with  that 


692  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

thirst  which  knows  no  comparison  in  this  world.  They 
suffer ;  poor  and  destitute  of  all  worldly  goods.  Yea ! 
they  are  even  deprived  of  all  those  consolations  which 
at  times  lessen  our  desires,  and  afford  us  moments  of 
repose. 

Here  upon  earth,  though  we  long  and  sigh  ever  so 
much  after  a  thing,  still  we  can  sleep ;  and  the  pains 
produced  by  our  heart's  desires  in  our  waking  mo- 
ments leave  us,  we  feel  them  no  longer.  We  can  en- 
gage ourselves  in  other  occupations ;  other  cares  may 
distract  our  minds.  We  may,  at.  times,  enjoy  various 
pleasures,  and  partake  of  the  good  things  of  this  life. 
Now  all  these  things  remove,  or,  at  least,  soothe  the 
pain  and  care  of  our  desires.  Not  so,  however,  is  the 
condition  of  these  distressed  souls.  They  have  no  re- 
freshing slumber ;  they  are  incessantly  awake ;  they 
have  no  occupation  ;  they  can  not  indulge  in  other 
cares,  in  other  distractions.  They  are  wholly  and  con- 
tinually absorbed  with  the  burning  desire  of  being 
liberated  from  their  intense  misery. 

Again,  upon  earth,  persons  who  anxiously  seek 
another  abode  or  another  state  of  life,  often  know  not 
whether,  perhaps,  they  may  not  fall  into  a  more 
wretched  condition.  How  many  have  forsaken  the 
shores  of  Europe,  with  the  bright  hope  of  a  better  fut- 
ure awaiting  them  in  America?  All  has  been  disap- 
pointment !  They  have  repented  a  thousand  times  of 
having  deserted  their  native  country.  Now,  does  this 
disappointment  await  the  souls  of  Purgatory  upon  their 
deliverance  ?    Ah !  by  no  means.    They  know  too  well 


FIRST   SERMON.  693 

that  when  they  are  released  heaven  will  be  their  home. 
Once  there,  no  more  pains,  no  more  fire  for  them; 
but  the  enjoyment  of  an  everlasting  bliss,  which  no  eye 
hath  seen,  nor  ear  heard ;  nor  hath  it  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man  to  conceive.  Such  will  be  their  future 
happy  state.  Oh,  how  great  is  their  desire  to  be  already 
there.  Another  circumstance  which  especially  intensi- 
fies hope  in  the  breast  of  man,  is  intercotirse,  union 
with  those  who  are  near  and  dear  to  him. 

How  many,  indeed,  have  bid  a  last  farewell  to  Eu- 
rope, where  they  would  have  prospered ;  but  oh,  then 
there  are  awaiting  them  in  another  land  their  beloved 
ones, — those  who  are  so  dear,  and  in  whose  midst 
they  long  to  be!  Oh,  what  a  great  source  of  desire 
is  not  this,  for  the  poor  souls  in  Purgatory  to  go  to 
Heaven ! 

In  heaven  they  shall  find  again  those  whom  they 
loved  and  cherished  upon  earth,  but  who  have  already 
preceded  them  on  the  way  to  the  heavenly  mansion. 
There  with  their  friends  shall  they  share  forever  un- 
told bliss  and  glory.  Not  only  will  they  possess  this 
happiness,  but  they  will,  moreover,  partake  of  the 
glory,  blessedness,  and  love  of  all  the  angels  and 
saints.  Yea,  even  Jesus  and  Mary  will  share  their 
blessedness  with  the  now  happy  souls. 

There  is  still  another  feature,  another  circumstance 
which  presents  itself  in  the  condition  of  the  poor  souls 
in  Purgatory.  I  mean  the  irresistible  force  or  tendency 
with  which  they  are  drawn  towards  God ;  the  intense 
longing  after  Him,  their  last  aim  and  end. 


694  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

So  long  as  man  is  burdened  upon  earth  with  his 
mortal  body  and  its  appetites,  so  long  will  he  not  feel 
this  attraction  with  such  intensity.  But  immediately 
upon  his  soul's  separation  from  its  mortal  frame  does 
it,  as  the  image  of  God,  experience  this  incomprehen- 
sible desire  for  its  Creator  and  Aim. 

Like  the  balloon  that  rises  aloft  as  soon  as  the  cords 
are  detached,  and  rapidly  soars  higher  and  higher ; 
just  so  the  soul  which  leaves  this  world  in  the  grace 
of  God  mounts  upward  with  inconceivable  rapidity  to- 
wards God  ;  and  the  more  pure  and  spotless  she  is, 
the  greater  is  its  intensity. 

Hence  it  was  that  David,  filled  with  an  ardent  long- 
ing after  God,  sighs  aloud:  "When,  when,  O  Lord, 
shall  I  appear  in  Thy  presence  ?  "  Oh,  with  what  in- 
tense anxiety  and  longing  is  not  a  poor  soul  in  Pur- 
gatory consumed,  to  behold  the  splendor  of  its  Lord 
and  Creator ! 

But  also  with  what  marks  of  Gratitude  does  not  ev- 
ery soul  whom  we  have  assisted  to  enter  heaven  pray 
for  us  upon  its  entrance. 

Therefore,  let  us  hasten  to  the  relief  of  the  poor 
suffering  souls  in  Purgatory.  Let  us  help  them  to  the 
best  of  our  power,  so  that  they  may  supplicate  for  us 
before  the  throne  of  the  Most  High ;  that  they  may 
remember  us  when  we  too  shall  one  day  be  afflicted 
in  that  prison-house  of  suffering,  and  may  procure  for 
us  a  speedy  release  and  an  early  enjoyment  of  a  bliss- 
ful eternity.    Amen  ! 


SECOND    SERMON.  695 

SECOND  SERMON. 

**Have  pity  on  me,  at  least  you  my  friends." — Job  xix,  21. 

THAT  it  is  a  duty,  a  truly  Christian  duty,  to  help 
the  poor  afflicted  souls  in  Purgatory,  no  one  can 
doubt.  We  are  commanded  even  as  men,  but  espe- 
cially as  Christians,  to  love  and  assist  our  neighbor 
as  ourselves.  But  the  souls  in  Purgatory  do  not  cease 
to  be  deserving  of  our  love  and  service  because  they 
are  in  an  abode  of  punishment,  for  they  are  still  our 
brethren,  and  they  are  the  more  deserving  of  prayers 
as  they  can  not  help  themselves. 

When  it  will  be  our  turn  one  day  to  dwell  in  those 
flames,  and  be  separated  from  God,  how  happy  will 
we  not  be  if  others  alleviate  and  shorten  your  pains ! 
Do  you  desire  this  assistance  for  your  own  soul  ?  Then 
begin  in  this  life,  while  you  have  time,  to  render  aid 
to  the  poor  souls  In  Purgatory. 

As  the  teachers  of  Divinity  justly  observe,  all  that 
we  can  render  to  the  souls  in  Purgatory  is  our 
intercession  before  God  in  their  behalf  Our  heavenly 
Father  accepts  our  appeal  in  proportion  to  their  con- 
dition in  that  place  of  confinement.  But  he  who  does 
not  assist  others,  unto  him  shall  no  mercy  be  shown ; 
for  this  is  what  even-handed  justice  requires.  Hence, 
let  us  not  be  deaf  to  the  pitiful  cries  of  the  departed 
ones. 

We,  moreover,  fulfill  a  duty  assigned  us  the  more 
cheerfully  when  there  are  many  and  weighty  motives 


696  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

for  complying  with  it ;  but  especially  is  this  the  case 
if  we  perceive  that  thereby  some  advantage  accrues 
to  ourselves  equal  to  or  greater  than  that  which  falls 
to  the  share  of  him  whom  we  assist.  Now,  that  is 
precisely  the  case  when  we  help  the  souls  in  Purga- 
tory through  our  prayers  and  good  works,  whether  we 
consider  ourselves  and  our  own  salvation,  or  the  good 
we  render  those  beloved,  but  afflicted  ones  of  God. 

The  main  reflection  which  should  be  drawn  from 
all  that  has  been  said,  and  which  should  be  deeply 
engraven  upon  the  mind,  is — 

That  all  the  pains  the  poor  souls  in  Purgatory  suffer 
tend  to  sanctify  our  own  souls,  and  to  shorten  hereafter 
our  own  misery  in  the  same  place  of  torme^it. 

How  this  can  be  accomplished  I  shall  endeavor  to 
explain  in  the  present  sermon. 

0  Mary,  Mother  of  mercy,  secure  for  us  the  grace 
of  making  what  we  now  hear  enter  deeply  into  our 
hearts,  in  order  that,  from  this  day  forward,  we  may 
hasten  to  the  aid  of  the  souls  in  Purgatory! 

1  speak  to  you  in  the  holy  name  of  Jesus,  for  the 
greater  glory  of  God  ! 


I  said,  that  which  pains  the  poor  souls  in  Purgatory 
tends  to  sanctify  our  soul  here  upon  earth,  and  here- 
after to  shorten  the  term  of  our  punishment  in  the 
purifying  flames  of  Purgatory. 

The  first  thing  that  torments  the  poor  souls  in  Pur- 
gatory is  the  longing,  the  burning  desire  to  behold 


SECOND    SERMON.  697 

God,  to  be  with  Christ  and  Mary,  and  to  be  among  the 
number  of  the  Blessed  ;  in  a  word,  to  possess  the  joys 
of  Heaven.  This  is  their  constant  desire.  The  hope 
of  one  day  entering  into  the  mansion  of  heavenly  de- 
lights is  what  makes  their  stay  doubly  painful. 

Oh,  with  what  torments  are  not  these  souls  afflicted 
through  their  yearning  to  be  with  their  God !  Were 
there  no  other  suffering  beyond  this  desire,  it  alone 
would  be  exceedingly  agonizing. 

Now,  this  very  thought  elevates  our  heart  and 
tends  to  sanctify  our  lives.  Whence  arises  the  fact 
that  we  live  so  tepidly,  so  regardless  of  our  Christian 
duties  ?  Why  are  we  more  anxious  to  possess  the 
perishable  things  of  the  world  than  to  own  the  ever- 
lasting treasures  of  heaven  ?  I  answer :  We  think  too 
h'ttle  of  God,  of  the  glorious  attributes  of  His  infinite 
divine  perfection  ;  in  brief,  we  are  too  careless  about 
our  union  with  God. 

Were  we  steadily  to  walk  in  the  presence  of  God, 
to  sigh  for  Him,  oh,  how  clearly  would  not  such  a 
disposition  place  before  our  eyes  the  misery  and  hei- 
nousness  of  the  smallest  sin  and  imperfection,  and 
thus  impel  us  to  shun  it  forever ! 

Should  we,  however,  have  the  misfortune  to  com- 
mit an  imperfection  or  a  venial  sin,  we  would  without 
delay,^filled  with  the  spirit  of  penance  of  a  St.  Aloy- 
sius,  banish  it  from  our  heart,  and  thus  shorten  our 
Purgatory  hereafter. 

Again,  we  betray  too  little  regard  for  Jesus.  Were 
this  not  the  case,  oh,  how  would  we  not  avail  ourselves 


698  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

of  His  presence  in  the  Most  Blessed  Sacrament  of  the 
Altar  to  advance  our  sanctification  by  repeated  visits 
to  that  sacred  shrine,  where  He  reposes  ;  by  devout 
attendance  at  Mass ;  by  frequent  union  with  Him  in 
Holy  Communion ;  in  fine,  by  closely  following  the 
example  of  His  earthly  career. 

The  same  remark  may  be  made  of  our  love  for 
Mary,  the  Mother  of  Christ  Jesus.  How  great  was 
not  the  ardent  affection  of  a  blessed  Leonard  of  Port 
Maurice  or  a  St.  Stanislaus,  for  Mary !  It  was  on  ac- 
count of  this  filial  love  for  her  that  they  entered  with- 
out delay  into  heavenly  bliss,  for  they,  living  on  earth, 
copied  the  image  of  Mary  the  Mirror  of  justice. 

Yes,  should  we  have  had  the  happiness  of  worthily 
wearing  the  Scapular  of  Mt.  Carmel,  through  a  desire 
of  imitating  Mary's  virtues,  then,  as  we  are  informed 
in  the  holy  Office  of  the  Church,  Mary  will  assist  us 
after  our  departure  from  this  life,  and  soon  deliver  us 
from  Purgatory,  to  receive  us,  her  dear  children,  into 
heaven.  ^ 

The  same  observation  holds  true  concerning  the 
yearning  of  the  poor  souls  in  Purgatory  to  be  in  the 
companionship  of  all  the  Angels  and  Saints.  We, 
again,  regard  too  little  the  image  presented  to  us  in 
the  life  and  actions  of  the  Saints.  Were  v^tq  oftener 
to  lecall  it  to  our  minds,  we  would  share  in  the  en- 
couraging reflection  of  St.  Augustine  while  contem- 
plating their  lives,  and  say  with  him:  *'  If  these  have 
done  such  things,  why  can  not  I  do  the  same  ?" 

What  is  the  reason  that  we,  instead  of  imitating 


SECOND    SERMON.  699 

their  zeal  for  virtue,  are  content  with  abstaining  from 
grievous  sin  only?  Ah,  we  do  not  reflect  that,  as  chil- 
dren of  the  Church,  we  possess  the  same  means  as  the 
Saints  used,  and  by  which  they  became  holy.  We  do 
not  consider  that  it  is  now  time  for  us,  while  we  yet 
sojourn  upon  earth,  to  gain  at  every  moment  new 
merits,  to  reap  a  harvest  of  heavenly  glory,  that  in 
the  hereafter  we  may  elevate  ourselves  to  the  splen- 
dor of  heaven  in  the  communion  of  the  Saints ! 

What  torments  the  souls  in  Purgatory  is  the  knowl- 
edge that  they  are  no  longer  able  to  merit  any  thing 
for  heaven.  They  can  not  help  themselves  ;  they  are 
entirely  dependent  upon  others.  They  wait,  and  wait, 
and  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  yearn  and  suffer.  Oh, 
how  they  grieve  and  lament  that  while  on  earth  they 
thought  so  little  of  heaven ;  that  they  accomplished  so 
little  to  gain  it,  and  did  so  much  for  this  world ;  that, 
in  fine,  they  have  rashly  squandered  their  precious 
time  !  Could  they  in  Purgatory  practise  good  works, 
spread  the  kingdom  of  God,  save  souls,  how  readily 
would  they  perform  these  duties  ;  but,  alas !  it  is  now 
too  late. 

We,  however,  have  this  rich  treasure,  this  great 
blessing — time.  We  can,  if  we  desire  it,  make  use  of 
it  even  if  it  costs  the  severest  effort  and  toil.  We  have 
still  command  over  the  priceless  gift.  Let  us  employ 
it  well. 

What  afflicts  those  poor,  helpless  souls  still  more 
is  the  circumstance  that,  despite  their  patience  in  suf- 
fering, they  can  earn  nothing  for  heaven.  With  us, 
45 


700  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

however,  such  is  not  the  case.  We.  fortunately,  by  our 
patience  under  affliction,  may  merit  much,  very  much 
indeed,  for  Paradise.  The  cross  of  misery  and  suffer- 
ing borne  with  resignation,  carried  bravely  for  love 
of  God,  and  in  compliance  with  His  divine  will — that 
cross  which  weighs  so  heavily  in  heaven's  just  scale 
of  retribution — will  be  for  us  a  pledge  of  untold  bliss 
in  heaven.  Christ  Himself  expressly  assures  us  of 
this,  and  St.  Paul  declares  it  when  he  says  :  "  The 
sufferings  of  this  world  can  not  be  compared  with  the 
weight  of  glory,  which  they  prepare  for  us  in  Paradise." 

I  well  remember  a  certain  sick  person  who  was 
sorely  pressed  with  great  sufferings.  Wishing  to  con- 
sole him  in  his  distress,  I  said:  ''Friend,  such  severe 
pains  will  not  last  long.  You  will  either  recover  from 
your  illness  and  become  well  and  strong  again  or  God 
will  soon  call  you  to  Himself."  Thereupon  the  sick  man, 
turning  his  eyes  upon  a  crucifix  which  had  been  placed 
for  him  at  the  foot  of  his  bed,  replied :  "  Father,  I  desire 
no  alleviation  in  my  suffering,  no  relief  from  my  pains. 
I  cheerfully  endure  all  as  long  as  it  is  God's  good 
pleasure  ;  but  I  hope  that  I  now  undergo  my  Purga- 
tory." Then,  stretching  forth  his  hands  towards  his 
crucifix,  he  thus  addressed  it,  filled  with  the  most 
lively  hope  in  God's  mercy:  ''  Is  it  not  so,  dear  Jesus? 
Thou  wilt  only  take  me  from  my  bed.  of  pain  to  re- 
ceive me  straightway  into  heaven!" 

These  were  the  words  of  one  who  confided  in  the 
goodness  of  an  all-merciful  Father.  Are  we  resigned 
like  that  poor  afflicted  sufferer  on  his  couch  of  pain  ? 


SECOND    SERMON.  >  7OI 

Have  we  the  same  Christian  fortitude  and  hope  ?    If 
not,  let  us  strive  to  imitate  his  example. 

Impatience — I  say  impatience  is  the  fountain  of  in- 
numerable defects  and  venial  sins  against  God  and 
our  neighbor.  It  is  this  that  so  frequently  prevents 
us  from  resigning  ourselves  to  God's  most  holy  will. 

On  the  other  hand,  how  efficacious  is  the  recollec- 
tion of  the  suffering  of  the  souls  in  Purgatory !  Soon, 
and  perhaps  very  soon,  I,  too,  will  be  of  their  num- 
ber, and  will  have  to  endure  intense  agony  without 
reward.  When  I  consider  the  patience  of  those  souls, 
how  encouraged  ought  I  to  be  to  endure  all  patiently 
and  to  resign  myself  entirely  to  God's  will. 

Besides  these  circumstances,  there  is  in  the  condi- 
tion of  the  poor  souls  still  another,  and  one  which, 
above  all  others,  characterizes  their  state. 

It  is  the  circumstance  that  all  who  suffer  in  Purga- 
tory are  holy  souls — souls  most  dear  to  God.  While 
there  they  are  no  longer  in  danger  of  being  tempted 
to  sin  by  intercourse  with  worldly-minded  and  imper- 
fect persons. 

If  we  were  very  careful  to  shun  the  company  of 
sinners  and  the  children  of  the  world,  oh,  how  many 
sins  and  faults  would  we  not  avoid — sins  and  imper- 
fections that  make  us  guilty  before  God,  and  from 
which  we  shall  have  to  be  cleansed  by  the  flames  of 
Purgatory. 

Therefore  let  us  strive  to  associate  ourselves  in 
spirit  with  those  distressed  souls ;  often  think  of  them  ; 
pray  and  work  for  their  release.    If  we  were  to  do  this, 


702  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

how  much  would  it  not  conduce  to  mend  our  lives,  to 
sanctify  us,  and  thus  assist  us  to  escape  Purgatory,  or 
at  least  to  shorten  our  stay  there  ;  for  all  the  circum- 
stances that  mark  the  state  of  the  souls  in  Purgatory 
are  so  well  adapted  to  encourage  us  in  the  path  to 
perfection ! 

These  circumstances  are,  as  I  have  said,  first,  their 
great  yearning  to  be  with  God,  with  Jesus  and  Mary, 
and  in  the  society  of  the  Angels  and  Saints ;  sec- 
ondly, their  inability  to  labor  meritoriously  or  to  gain 
merit  by  suffering — things,  however,  which  we  can  do 
by  entire  conformity  with  the  most  divine  will  of  God. 

Therefore  how  true  and  important  is  not  the  coun- 
sel of  the  Holy  Ghost — "  It  is  a  holy  and  wholesome 
thought  to  pray  for  the  dead  " — when  we  reflect  that 
through  our  assistance  they  may  the  sooner  enter  into 
the  joys  of  heaven  ;  that  here  upon  earth  we,  by  de- 
votion to  them,  may  lead  the  life  of  Saints,  that  thereby 
we  may  be  delivered,  if  not  entirely,  at  least  in  a  short 
time,  from  Purgatory,  to  enjoy  the  unspeakable 
bliss  of  the  celestial  Paradise  forever  in  company  with 
all  the  Saints  and  Angels. — Amen  ! 


THIRD    SERMON.  703 

THIRD  SERMON. 

«*It  io  a  holy  and  wholesome  thought  to  pray  for  the  dead." — 2  Machab.  xii. 

ALL  the  feasts  of  the  Church  are  sacred,  and  pro- 
duce the  wholesome  effect  of  sanctifying  her  chil- 
dren. Hence,  the  faithful  have  good  reasons  for  cele- 
brating these  solemn  occasions  with  great  fervor,  and 
in  the  spirit  of  our  holy  Mother,  the  Church.  But  es- 
pecially is  this  the  case  on  this  day,  v/hen  the  Church 
exhorts  us  to  remember  and  efficaciously  to  assist  the 
departed  souls. 

There  is  scarcely  another  feast  of  the  Church,  in 
whose  celebration  the  hearts  of  her  children  are  more 
prompt,  than  in  this  consecrated  to  the  memory  of 
the  dead. 

The  remembrance  of  their  pitiable  state,  and  the 
desire  to  help  them,  in  consequence  of  our  natural 
sympathy,  are  calculated  to  awaken  the  tenderest 
feelings,  and  to  move  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  the 
Church  to  celebrate  this  feast  with  zeal. 

But,  besides  the  motive  of  natural  sympathy  for  all 
in  distress,  there  are  motives  of  faith  which  impel  us 
to  procure  their  relief  not  only  on  AH  Souls  Day,  but 
on  ^very  day  of  our  life.  For  this  our  love  and  inter- 
est in  their  regard  is  a  work  not  only  pleasing  to  God 
and  meritorious  for  us,  but  also  efficacious  for  the  re- 
lief of  the  departed  souls. 

Hence,  we  see  evinced  in  the  lives  of  all  the  saints 
a  most  ardent  zeal  in  the  cause  of  these  poor  afflicted 


704  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

ones.  For  their  relief  they  offered  to  God  not  only 
prayers,  but  also  the  Masses,  penances,  the  most 
severe  sicknesses,  and  the  most  painful  trials ;  and  all 
this  as  a  retribution  and  a  practical  display  of  the  be- 
lief which  they  cherished — that  they  who  have  slept 
in  Christ  are  finally  to  repose  with  Him  in  glory. 
Now,  I  maintain  that  we,  too,  shall  feel  in  our  breasts 
this  same  strong,  this  same  ardent  zeal,  if  we  care- 
fully weigh  the  assurance  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and 
practise  the  counsel  it  implies  : 

"//  is  a  holy  and  wholesome  thought  to  pray  for  the 
dead. ' ' 

How  holy — how  wholesome — this  practice  is  we 
shall  endeavor  to  consider  to-day  for  the  consolation 
of  the  poor  souls  and  of  ourselves. 

0  Mary,  most  compassionate,  most  tender  Mother, 
inspire  our  hearts  with  a  deep  compassion  for  the 
poor  souls  in  Purgatory,  so  that  we  may  be  moved  to 
pray  for  those  suffering  children  of  thine  and  assist 
them  with  all  our  power ! 

1  speak  in  the  most  holy  name  of  Jesus,  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God  ! 


When  the  Church,  on  her  festive  days,  offers 
up  prayers  and  sacrifice,  she  thereby  wishes  to  re- 
mind the  faithful  of  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion, 
and  to  exhort  them  to  draw  profit,  for  their  spir- 
itual welfare,  by  meditating  upon  what  they  wit- 
ness. 


THIRD    SERMON.  705 

Therefore,  it  is  but  just  and  proper  that  we  place 
before  our  eyes,  upon  this  day,  the  motives  and 
proofs  which  show  forth  the  hoHness  of  the  act  of 
praying  for  the  departed  souls,  and  the  spiritual 
blessings  that  will  accrue  from  the  practice  to  them 
and  to  us. 

Now,  as  to  what  regards  the  holiness  of  the  act,  it 
is  plain  that  it  is  one  performed  through  love  of 
God.  It  is  an  act  that  tends  to  relieve  the  souls  that 
have  left  this  world  in  the  state  of  grace  and  advance 
them,  somewhat  sooner,  to,  the  contemplation  of  the 
splendor  and  beatific  vision  of  God. 

It  is,  moreover,  an  act  which  enables  these  same 
souls  the  sooner  to  praise  God  in  the  presence  of 
the  Angels  and  Saints,  for  the  accomplishment  of  the 
work  which  He  began  in  their  creation  and  finished 
in  their  redemption  and  salvation. 

Who  can  tell  what  ardent  praise  the  happy  soul 
offers  to  God  in  heaven !  what  heartfelt  thanks  it 
lavishes  upon  its  Lord  when  it  reaches  the  realms 
of  everlasting  bliss !  how  much  it  rejoices  the  heart 
of  God  to  receive  all  this  exaltation  and  thanks  from 
the  lips  of  a  soul  forever  saved ! 

It  is  a  most  holy  act,  which  at  the  same  time 
rejoices  and  comforts  so  exceedingly  the  heart  of 
Jesus  in  heaven,  and  affords  the  now  happy  soul 
an  occasion  of  thanking  Him  for  all  that .  He  has 
accomplished  for  it  by  His  life  and  death  on  the 
cross. 

The   same    may  be    said   of  the   heart   of  Mary, 


7o6  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

What  a  most  holy  and  praiseworthy  deed  does  he 
not  perform  who  assists  the  soul  of  the  elect  the 
sooner  to  receive  the  affectionate  embraces  of  Mary, 
to  do  her  homage,  and  to  return  her  everlasting 
thanks,  in  heaven,  for  her  motherly  care. 

Yea,  the  entire  Church  triumphant  feels  an  in- 
crease of  glory  as  often  as  a  soul  enters  into  heaven, 
and  thanks  that  pious  soul  who  was  the  instrument, 
in  the  hands  of  God,  of  conducting  it  the  more  rap- 
idly into  the  celestial  Paradise. 

The  same,  again,  may  be  said  of  the  Church  suffer- 
ing. She,  too,  is  a  part  of  God's  kingdom;  for  in 
the  Church  we  distinguish  the  Church  militant,  the 
Church  suffering,  and  the  Church  triumphant.  By 
the  interest  we  display  in  the  cause  of  the  poor 
souls,  we  acknowledge  them  as  our  brothers  and 
sisters  in  Christ  Jesus.  Besides,  by  this  we  honor 
the  Church,  because  we  thereby  solemnly  acknowl- 
edge that  all  who  are  of  her  fold,  in  the  grace  of 
God,  are  heirs  and  heiresses  of  Heaven. 

It  is  a  holy  thought,  moreover,  to  pray  for  the 
dead,  as  our  text  affirms.  And  why?  Because  all 
that  we  perform  for  the  help  and  delivery  of  the 
poor  souls  in  Purgatory,  are  works  of  Christian 
faith  and  piety.  Such  are  prayer,  the  august  sac- 
rifice of  the  Mass,  the  reception  of  the  holy  sac- 
raments,* alms-deeds,  and  acts  of  penance  and  self- 
denial. 

It  is  a  holy  and  at  the  same  time  a  wholesome 
thought;   because   it  so  powerfully  excites  within  us 


THIRD    SERMON.  707 

the  desire  to  sanctify  our  own  self.  This  will  be  evi- 
dent if  we  only  consider  what  are  the  predominant 
causes  of  that  lukewarmness  of  ours  in  the  service 
of  God,  which,  in  spite  of  all  the  promises,  the  en- 
couragements and  counsels  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  still 
hinders  us  from  advancing  with  the  zeal  of  the  Saints, 
in  the  path  of  Christian  perfection. 

The  sources  of  our  spiritual  misery  may  particu- 
larly be  traced  to  an  inordinate  love  for  worldly  goods 
and  interests,  the  pamperi7ig  of  our  bodies,  and 
thoughtlessness  in  the  matter  of  venial  sins  and  imper- 
fections. 

First,  the  undue  attachment  to  the  things  of  this 
world  is  a  serious,  a  very  serious,  impediment  to  piety 
and  zeal,  and  the  foundation  of  innumerable  defects. 

There  are,  indeed,  many  reasons,  if  we  were  only 
to  seek  for  them,  which  indisputably  prove  to  us  the 
vanity  and  folly  of  this  inordinate  yearning  after  the 
possession  of  earthly  goods.  But  nothing  places  this 
folly  so  forcibly  before  our  eyes  as  the  thought  of  the 
poor  souls  in  Purgatory,  the  warning  cry  of  poor 
souls  from  the  grave:  ''Our  money  is  lost;  lost 
to  the  last  farthing.  To-day  my  turn;  to-morrow 
yours!" 

Remember,  dear  Christians,  that  we,  too,  shall  once 
be  poor,  helpless,  and  suffering  souls  in  Purgatory; 
and  what  shall  we  carry  with  us  of  all  our  earthly 
goods  and  treasures?    Not  a  single  farthing! 

Therefore,  how  important  is  it  not  to  avoid  the  pit- 
falls which  the  anxious  care  of  goods  and  chattels,  of 


yoS  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

gold  and  possessions,  prepares  m  our  path  to  salva- 
tion. Even  were  there  no  danger  of  offending  God 
grievously  through  inordinate  worldly  cares,  still,  how 
great  are  not  the  obstacles  they  oppose  to  the  practice 
of  good  works  and  to  our  efforts  after  Christian  per- 
fection. 

Yes,  alas,  it  is  often  too  true,  and  that  in  the  case 
of  many  of  the  most  zealous  members  of  a  congrega- 
tion. What  prevents  them  from  actually  carrying  out 
the  many  purposes  of  amendment  which  they  so 
often  form?  It  is  naught  else  than  their  inordinate 
love  and  care  for  the  perishable  goods  of  this  earth. 

The  second  source  of  our  tepidity  in  the  service  of 
God,  and  which  gives  rise  to  so  many  imperfections, 
is  sensuality. 

This  is  an  avenue  broad  and  convenient,  by  which 
the  Evil  Spirit  frequently  approaches  our  heart.  How 
often  lias  he  not,  in  this  way,  come  upon  it  unawares 
and  vanquished  us  ?  How  often  have  we  not  yielded 
to  sensuality  on  the  plea  of  necessity,  or  of  con- 
forming to  others?  Yes,  the  inordinate  love  of  com- 
fort, of  seeking  pleasures  for  the  body,  is  a  great 
check  to  progress  in  the  spiritual  life.  Here,  also,  we 
have  sufficient  proof  to  show  how  foolish  and  de- 
ceitful is  the  thought  that  the  joys  of  the  world  and 
the  pleasures  of  the  senses  can  replenish  us  with  all 
good,  and  satisfy  our  desires.  Blinded  men,  who 
are  not  afraid  of  Purgatory,  provided  they  can 
enjoy  this  transitory  life!  Yet  they  shall  not  be 
satisfied,    because    the    heart    of   man    is    so    great 


THIRD    SERMON.  709 

that  Its  Lord  and  Creator  alone  can  satisfy  its 
desires. 

To  remind  us  forcibly  of  this  insane  love  of  earthly 
comforts  and  happiness,  we  need  only  think  of  the 
great,  the  powerful,  and  the  wealthy,  whose  bodies 
are  moldering  in  the  dismal  grave.  Think  of  the 
poor  souls  who,  having  left  their  bodies  upon  earth, 
are  now  undergoing  intense  suffering  for  the  sins 
they  committed  by  over-indulgence.  Oh,  how  they 
now  lament  having  surrendered  their  bodies  to  sensual 
delights,  and  having,  on  this  account,  too  often  shunned 
carrying  the  cross  of  Christ. 

Finally,  the  third  cause  of  lukewarmness,  and  the 
fountain  of  innumerable  imperfections,  is  the  great 
disregard  of  ve7iial  sins. 

Of  course,  every  Christian  knows  that  a  deliberate 
venial  sin  offends  the  majesty  of  God,  and  is  next 
to  mortal  sin,  the  greatest  evil  that  can  befall  a 
soul.  Its  heinousness  can  not  be  more  strongly  im- 
pressed on  the  mind  than  by  considering  those  ex- 
cruciating pains,  which  afflict  the  poor  souls  in  Purga- 
tory, in  punishment  of  such  an  offense.  To  under- 
stand their  condition,  we  should  know  what  Purgatory 
is.  It  is,  as  theologians  maintain,  the  same  fire  that 
burns  and  rages  so  intensely  in  Hell,  and  whose  glow- 
ing heat  penetrates  the  poor,  sad  soul,  as  no  other 
fire  can  do. 

What  is  not  the  agonizing  anguish  that  fills  a 
mother's  breast  upon  hearing  the  heart-rending  cries 
of  her   child   as   she  beholds   it   rushing  forth   from 


7IO  FEAST    OF    ALL    SOULS. 

an  adjoining  apartment,  all  in  flames  ?  And  yet,  what 
is  a  mother's  heart  and  her  love  for  her  child  in  com- 
parison with  the  heart  of  God,  as  Creator. 

Nevertheless,  God  confines  souls,  that  are  His 
most  dear  children,  and  are  still  in  His  grace,  in 
Purgatory.  There  they  suffer,  not  only  for  hours  and 
days,  but  for  years  and  years ;  and  yet  He  receives 
them  not  into  His  fatherly  embrace  before  they  have 
become  spotless  in  His  sight. 

Yes,  these  souls  themselves  would  not  leave  Purga- 
tory until  every  trace  of  the  least  imperfection  were 
washed  away. 

We  read,  in  the  life  of  St.  Gertrude,  that  God 
once  allowed  her  to  behold  Purgatory.  And,  lo !  she 
saw  a  soul  that  was  almost  upon  the  brink  of  Purga- 
tory, and  Christ,  who,  followed  by  a  band  of  holy 
virgins,  was  approaching  and  stretching  forth  His 
hands  toward  it.  Thereupon  the  soul,  which  was 
almost  out  of  Purgatory,  drew  back,  and  of  its  own 
accord  sank  again  into  the  fire.  ''What  doest  thou?" 
said  St.  Gertrude  to  the  soul.  "Dost  thou  not  see 
that  Christ  wishes  to  release  thee  from  thy  terrible 
abode?"  To  this  the  soul  replied:  "O  Gertrude, 
thou  beholdest  me  not  as  I  am.  I  am  not  yet  im- 
maculate. There  is  yet  another  stain  upon  me.  I 
will  not  hasten  thus  to  the  arms  of  Jesus." 

O,  children  of  the  Church,  what  a  motive  for  us 
to  live  religiously,  to  avoid  the  smallest  sin,  and  to 
do  penance  for  the  past.  What  a  stimulus  to  prac- 
tise all  virtues  and  good  works,  to  display  our  zeal 


THIRD    SERMON.  71I 

for  souls  with  the  diligence  and  perfection  of  the 
Saints,  remembering,  at  the  same  time,  the  words 
of  the  Holy  Ghost: 

**  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  have  slept  in  the  Lord, 
for  their  works  follow  them,  and  they  now  repose 
from  their  labors  in  everlasting  peace,"  through  Christ 
Jesus,  our  Lord  and  Saviour. — Amen. 


INDEX  OF  THE  SUNDAY  SERMONS. 


2d 

(( 

3d 

(( 

1st 
2d 

Sermon, 

3d 

(< 

First  Sunday  in  Advent. 

1st  Sermoix. — The  state  of  the  sinner — a  sleep. 

2d         **  The  state  of  the  sinner — a  dream, 

3d         "  On  the  second  advent  of  Christ,  as  the  Judge  of  mankind. 

Second  Sunday  in  Advent. 

1st  Sermon. — Christ,  the  Sun,  on  the  day  of  conversion,  at  the  hour  of  death, 

and  on  the  day  of  judgment. 
2d         **  On  the  tokens  and  evidences  of  a  true  conversion. 

3d         *'  On  the  four  different  classes  of  moral  reeds  among  men. 

Tliird  Sunday  in  Advent. 

1st  Sermon. — Why  men  don't  hear  the  call  of  divine  grace. 

Why  men  confess,  and  nevertheless  the  rubbish  of  sin  remains 

in  the  path  of  their  life. 
Our  confession,  as  followers  of  Christ,  should  have  the  same 
characteristics  v^^hich  distinguished  the  testimony  of  John  the 
Baptist. 

Fourtli  Sunday  in  Advent. 
-On  the  power  of  holy  hope  to  lead  us  on  the  way  of  salvation. 
On  the  necessary  preparation  to  receive  the  inspirations  of  grace 

into  our  hearts. 
The  meaning  of  the  seven  Antiphons,  by  which  the  Church,  in 
''  the  last  week  of  Advent,  expresses  her  longing  for  the  com- 
ing Redeemer. 

Sunday  witliin  the  Octave  of  Nativity. 

1st  Sermon. — The  Holy  Family  as  a  model  of  every  Christian  family. 

2d         ♦'  On  the  fulfillment  of  the  prophecy  of  Simeon  in  Christ  and 

His  Church,  as  a  sign  which  shall  be  contradicted. 
3d         «'  The  sword  of  sorrow  piercing  the  heart  of  a  neglectful  Catholic 

mother. 

Sunday  within  the  Octave  of  Epiphany. 

1st  Sermon. — The  greatness  of  the  loss  of  Jesus  by  sin. 

2d         *'  Why  many  of  those  who  seem  to  seek  Jesus  do  not  find  Him. 

3d         "  What  it  means  to  find  Jesus  after  having  lost  Him. 

Second  Sunday  after  Epiphany. 

1st  Sermon. — What  the  words  of  Mary  at  Cana  mean  :  **  Whatsoever  He  shall 

say  to  you,  do  ye." 
2d         "  What  it  means  to  do  every  thing  Jesus  demands. 

3d         *'  'On  the  rules  how  to  indulge  in  amusements. 

Third  Sunday  after  Epiphany. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  fallacies  of  a  supposed  conversion. 

2d         "  On  the  most  noble  and  consoling  act  to  place  our  confidence  in 

God's  help. 
(712) 


INDEX   OF    THE    SUNDAY    SERMONS.  713 

3d  Sermon. — That  many  are  called,  and  only  few  chosen,  ^is  the  fault  of  man 
alone. 

Fourth  Sunday  after  Epiphany. 

1st  Sermon. — The  life  of  man  a  struggle  and  a  tempest  on  the  ocean  of  life. 
2d         "  When  Jesus  seems  not  to  listen  to  us,  He  often  comes  to  our 

help  in  the  most  unexpected  and  compassionate  manner. 
3d         '*  On  the  danger  of  despondency. 

Fifth  Sunday  after  Epiphany. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  tricks  by  which  the  devil  tries  to  prevent  in  our  hearts 

the  growth  of  the  seed  of  grace. 
2d         *'  Why  God  permits  the  wicked  ones  to  live  among  the  good  ones 

on  earth. 
3d         *'  Now  is  the  time  to  choose — to  the  right,  or  to  the  left. 

Sixth  Sunday  after  Epiphany. 

1st  Sermon. — Esteem  nothing  little  which  can  promote  or  impede  your  life 

as  a  child  of  God. 
2d         "  Our  intellect,  will,  and  heart  have  to  be  penetrated  by  faith,  just 

as  flour  is  by  the  leaven. 
3d         "  On  the  hidden"  life  of  Christ  reflected  in  the  mysteries  of  the 

Incarnation,  the  Eucharist,  and  His  death  on  the  cross. 

Septuagesima  Sunday. 

1st  Sermon. — Envy — a  most  dangerous  and  execrable  crime. 

2d         "  Our  perdition  is  the  more  to  be  lamented  after  having  been 

a  Catholic  during  life. 
3d         **  How  to  purchase  back  the  lost  time  of  our  life. 

Sexagesima  Sunday. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  reason  why  the  word  of  God  does  not  exercise  the  de- 
sired influence  upon  the  lives  of  men. 

2d         **  On  the  reasons  from  which  depends  the  fructifying  influence 

of  the  word  of  God.  * 

2id         ««  What  is  meant  by  the  thirty,  sixty,  and  one  hundred  fold  fruit. 

Quinquagesima  Sunday. 

1st  Sermon. — Christ  mocked  and  put  to  death  by  the  behavior  of  the  Chris- 
tian sinner. 
2d         **  The  Christian  sinner  a  blind  man. 

3d         **  The  Christian  sinner  a  beggar. 

First  Sunday  in  Lent. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  intention  ^nd  the  spirit  of  the  Church  in  the  observance 

of  Lent. 
2d         "  On  the   three  temptations  with  which  Satan  dared  to  tempt 

Christ. 
3d         **  A  glance  at  the  manner  in  which  the  Church  observes  Lent. 

Second  Sunday  in  Lent. 

1st  Sermon. — "And  His  face  did  shine  as  the  Sun."  What  meaning  has 
this  miracle  in  reference  to  our  striving  after  perfection  ? 

2d         "  On  the  stains  of  imperfection  which  deface  our  daily  works. 

3d         "  On  the  three  tabernacles  for  our  spiritual  abode,  viz.:  the  pid- 

pit,  the  confessional,  the  altar. 


714  INDEX    OF    THE    SUNDAY    SERMONS. 

Third  Sunday  in  Lent. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  dumb  demon  inducing  man  to  a  sinful  silence. 

2d         '*  On  the  want  of  determination  in  the  character  of  the  Chris- 

tians deserting  the  standard  of  Christ. 

3d         •*  ,Why  Christ    assures    us  of   the    relapsing  sinner  that  his  last 

state  will  be  worse  than  his  first. 

Fourth  Sunday  in  Lent. 

1st  Sermon. — How  important  it  is  for  us  to  strengthen  our  trust  in  divine 

Providence. 
2d         *'  On  the  disposition  of  the  five  thousand  people  who  followed 

Christ  in  the  desert. 
3d         **  Man  does  often  not  know  what  he  is  doing,  but  God  always 

knows  his  ways. 

Passion  Sunday. 

1st  Sermon. — What  little  right  we  have  to  challenge  those  with  whom  we 

live  and  ask  :   Which  of  you  shall  convince  me  of  sin  ? 
2d  **  On  the  difficulty  of  driving  out  the  .devil  of  habit. 

3d         **  Let  us  consider  the  sin  of  slandering  our  neighbor. 

Low  Sunday. 

1st  Sermon. — The  peace  which  Christ  gives  is  a  true,  complete,  holy,  and 

sanctifying  one. 
2d         "  The  five   rays  of  consolation   streaming  from  the  wounds  of 

Jesus,  which  restore  peace  in  our  troubled  hearts. 
3d         **  In  what  relation  does  faith  stand  to  our  spiritual  life? 

Second  Sunday  after  Easter. 

1st  Sermon. — Christ's  qualities  as  Good  Shepherd. 
2d         **  On  the  qualities  of  the  true  sheep  of  Christ. 

3d         **  On  our  obligation  to  bring  the  lost  and  wandering  sheep  to 

the  fold  of  Christ. 

Third  Sunday  after  Easter. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  change  of  the  sadness  of  the  children  of  God  into  joy. 
2d         *'  On  the  change  of    the  joy  of  the 'children  of  the  world  into 

sadness. 
3d         "  The  sweetness  to  think  of  God  as  of  our  Father. 

Fourth  Sunday  after  Easter. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  manner  in  which  the  Holy  Ghost  convinces  the  world 

of  sin. 
2d          "  On  the  manner  in  which  the  Holy  Ghost  convinces  the  world 

of 'its  want  of  justice. 
3d         **  On  the  meaning  of   the  words  of  Christ:   "The  Holy  Ghost 

shall   convince    the   world   of  judgment,    because   Satan  is 

already  judged." 

Fifth  Sunday  after  Easter. 

1st  Sermon. — What  it  means  to  pray  in  the  name  of  the  Father 

2d         '*  What  it  means  to  pray  in  the  name  of  the  Son. 

3d         '*  What  it  means  to  pray  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 


INDEX    OF    THE    SUNDAY    SERMONS.  715 

Sixth  Sunday  after  Easter. 

1st  Sermon. — Why  does  Christ  call  the  Holy  Ghost  the  Spirit  of  Truth  ? 

2d         "  Why  does  Christ  call  the  Holy  Ghost  the  Comforter? 

3d         "  On  the  qualities  of  the  testimony  which  Christ  expects  from  us. 

Sunday  within  the  Octaye  of  Corpus  Christi, 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  zeal  to  hear  Mass. 

2d         "  On  the  zeal  to  receive  Holy  Communion. 

3d         "  On  the  zeal  to  visit  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament. 

Third  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  will  of  God  to  save  every  man. 
2d         "  On  the  ways  of  Christ  calling  back  the  strayed  sheep. 

3d         "  Why  the  angels  rejoice  with  so  great  an  exultation  at  the  con- 

version of  the  sinner. 

Fourth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  words  of  Peter  :  "At  thy  word  I  will  let  down  the  net." 
2d         *'  On  the  many  reasons  which  urge  us  to  labor  for  the  salvation 

of  souls. 
3d         **  What  net  is  at  hand  for  every  one  to  fish  souls  ? 

Fifth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — There  are  Christians  that  live  like  the  Pharisees. 
2d         **  There  are  Christians  that  live  worse  than  the  Pharisees. 

3d         **  How  must  we  live  that  our  justice  may  be  greater  than  that  of 

the  Pharisees? 

Sixth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  compassion  of  Jesus  for  every  one  of  us. 

2d         "  On  the  reasons  which  urge  us  to  be,  above  all,  grateful  towards 

'  God. 

3d         **  Let  us  consider  the  seven  caskets  of  virtue  which  are  filled  by 

our  trust  in  divine  Providence. 

Seventh  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  conditions  of  our  life  necessary  to  bring  forth  fruits  for 

eternal  life. 
2d         •'  On  the  loss  of  heaven. 

3d         '•  On  the  torments  of  hell. 

Eighth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  cleverness  of  the  children  of  the  world  in    order    to 

reach  their  purpose. 
2d         "  On  the  cleverness  of  the  children  of  the  world  in  rectifying 

losses  which  they  suffered. 
3d         "  On  our  obligation  to  help  the  poor. 

Ninth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — Christ  weeping  over  Jerusalem,  the  emblem  of  a  soul  in  the 

state  of  mortal  sin. 
2d         '*  Christ  weeping  over  Jerusalem,  seeing  a  soul  in  the  state  of 

habitual  sin. 
3d         **  Christ  weeping  over  Jerusalem,  seeing  a  soul  that  in  spite  of 

all  He  had  done  and  endured,  is  lost  forever. 
46 


71 6  INDEX    OF    THE    SUNDAY    SERMONS. 

Tenth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the   blasphemies   of  the  sinner  pronouncing   the    Lord's 

Prayer. 
2d         "  On  the  hidden  life  of  Christ  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament. 

3d         "  Pride,  the  great  impediment  of  real  penance. 

Eleventh  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  spiritual  deafness  of  the  human  race. 
2d  "  How  the  spiritual  deaf-mutes  are  cured  by  Christ. 

3d         '*  On  the  spiritual  meaning   of  the  words   of   to-day's  gospel: 

"And  He  spoke  right." 

Twelfth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — The  robbed  and  wounded  traveler  to  Jericho. 
2d         "  Confess  often,  but  confess  right. 

3d         "  On   the  shallowness  of  the  excuses  usually  brough;:    forward 

against  frequent  confession. 

Thirteenth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  different  classes  of  spiritual  lepers. 

2d         "  On  the  Catholic  Church  as  the  only  saving  Church. 

3d  "  Faith,  the  root  of  a  real  holy  life. 

Fourteenth  Sunday  after  Pentecost, 

1st  Sermon. — God  as  our  Master,  whom  we  should  serve. 
2d         "  What  folly  it  is  to  serve  the  world  as  our  master. 

3d         "  On  the  contrast  between  the  service  of  mammon  and  the  service 

of  God. 

Fifteenth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  answer  of  death  within  us. 
2d         *'  As  is  life — such  is  death, 

3d         •'  Let  us  to-day  take  a  glance  on  the   four  pall-bearers  of  the 

soul  dead  in  sin. 

Sixteenth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

ist  Sermon. — The  Pharisees  watched  Christ  to  slander  Him.  Let  us  watch 
Him  present  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  in  order  to  follow 
Him. 

2d         "  The  dropsical  man  of  to-day's  gospel,  a  figure  of  a  habituated 

drunkard. 

3d         **  Let  us  to-day  consider  the  loathsomeness  of  pride. 

Seventeenth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  great  commandment :  to  love  God  above  all. 
2d         "  What  it* means  :  to  love  one's  neighbor  as  one's  self. 

3d         "  On  the  signs  of  a  true  love  for  Jesus. 

Eighteenth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — Confession  a  divine  institution. 

2d         "  On  the  consoling  words  of  Christ:   */Be  of  good  heart,  thy  sins 

are  forgiven  thee." 
3d         **  On  the  teaching  of  the  Church  concerning  indulgences. 


INDEX    OF    THE    SUNDAY    SERMONS.  717 

Nineteenth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — The  joys  of  the  true  Christian  on  earth,  the  beginning  of  his 
marriage-feast  in  heaven. 

2d         *'  On  the  silence  of  the  reprobate  sinner  before  the  judgment- 

seat  of  God. 

3d         *'  On  the  characteristic  marks  of  the  elect. 

Twentieth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  spiritual  profit  we  would  and  should  derive  from  bod- 
ily sickness. 

2d         "  On  our  duties  of  charity  towards  the  sick. 

3d         *'  On  the  inexcusable  delay  of  receiving  the  Sacrament  of  Ex- 

treme Unction  when  dangerously  sick. 

Twenty-flrst  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. —  On  the  futility  of  the  usual  pretexts,  not  to  forgive  our  enemies. 
2d     .     "  On  the  obligation  of  restitution. 

3d         '*  On  the  obligatiou  of  restitution,  when  wronging  the  character 

of  others. 

'Twenty-second  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — Human  respect  the  great  impediment  for  man  to  embrace  holy 

faith,  and  to  live  accordingly. 
2d         *'  On  the  duties  of  servants  in  regard  to  their  masters. 

3d         **  On  the  duties  we  owe  to  the  Church  of  God,  our  heavenly 

mother. 

Twenty-third  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  salutary  influence  of  the  real  presence  of  Christ  in  the 
Eucharist,  to  be  cured  from  our  sinful  infirmities. 

2d         '*  On  the  tumult  which  rages  in  the  heart  of  the  sinner. 

3d         *'  On  the  consolation  we  should  feel  when  exposed  to  the  scorn 

and  laugh  of  the  impious. 

Twenty -fourth  Sunday  after  Pentecost. 

1st  Sermon. — The  cross  appearing  in  the  sky  a  mirror  of  the  adorable  attri- 
butes of  divine  nature. 

2d         "  The  cross  appearing  in  the  sky  as  a  sign  of  victory  for  the 

elect. 

3d         **  The  cross  appearing  in  the  sky  a  sign  of  eternal  separation  of 

the  wicked  from  the  good. 


SERMONS  ON  THE  FEASTS. 


The  Immaculate  Conception. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  dogma  of  the  Immaculate  Conception. 

2d         **  A  glance  at  the  image  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  indicates 

how  to  preserve  baptismal  innocence. 
3d         "  Mary,  the  terror  of  hell. 

Christmas. 

1st  Sermon.— On  the  Gloria  of  the  Holy  Angels  sung  on  Christmas  night. 
2d         "  On  the  conduct  of  the  shepherds  on  Christmas  night. 

3d         "  On  the  words  of  to-day's  gospel :  ' '  There  was  no  room  for  them 

in  the  inn." 

St.  Stephen. 

1st  Sermon. — St.  Stephen  in  the  midst  of  torments  crying  out :  I  see  Jesus ! 
2d-       "  On  the  praise  given  by  Holy  Writ  to  St.  Stephen  :  "  He  was  a 

man  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 
3d         *'  On    the   twelve    stars    crowning    the  glory  of  St.    Stephen  in 

ven. 

St.  John. 

1st  Sermon. — Why  St.  John  called  himself  the  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved. 

2d         "  John  co-operated  with  the  graces  Christ  effused  into  his  heart, 

— Judas  wasted  them. 

3d         *•  John  regarded   his    neighbor  in  the  light  of  faith — so  he  be- 

came the  model  of  brotherly  love. 

Feast  of  the  Holy  Innocents. 

1st  Sermon  — What  parents  have  to  do  in  order  that  their  children  may  pre- 
serve their  innocence. 
2d         **  What  hurries  youth  into  the  abyss  of  ruin. 

3d         '*  On  the  leading  principles  of  a  good  education. 

Feast  of  New  Year's  Eve. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  characteristic  hours  which  form  the  general  outline  of 

our  lives,  and  their  good  use. 
2d         "  How  we  have  to  redeem  lost  time,  employ  the  present  time, 

and  secure  the  future. 
3d         •*  All  that-passes  away  is  not  worth  trouble  ;  only  that  which  is 

eternal  is  of  any  value. 

Feast  of  New  Year's  Day. 

1st  Sermon. — The  general  mode  of  greeting  a  Happy  New  Year  applied  to 

wishes  for  our  spiritual  welfare. 
2d         *'  Our  life  is  a  pilgrimage  to  heaven. 

3d         '•  What  the  sun  is  for  us  in  the  order  of  nature,  Christ  is  for  us 

in  the  order  of  grace. 
(718) 


INDEX  OF  THE  SERMONS  ON  THE  FEASTS.    719 

Vigil  of  the  Feast  of  the  Epiphany. 

Whatsoever  God,  Who  loves  us,  sees  fit  to  send,  we  should  embrace  pa- 
tiently and  joyfully  for  love  of  Him. 

Feast  of  the  Epiphany. 

1st  Sermon. — Men  remain  in  darkness  in  the  way  of  salvation,  because  they 

^      do  not  look  like  the  Magi  to  the  star  of  truth. 
2d         "  The  royal  crown  of  Christ,  and  the  character  of  His  eternal 

kingdom. 
3d         *'  The  symbolical  meaning  of  the  gifts  of  gold,  frankincense,  and 

myrrh.  ' 

The  Feast  of  the  Holy  Name  of  Jesus. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  full  meaning  of  the  Holy  Name  of  Jesus. 

2d         ''  On  the  strength  and  power  communicated  to  our  souls  through 

the  Holy  Name  of  Jesus. 
3d         *•  On  the  dignity  of  the  name — a  Christian. 

On  the  Feast  of  the  Purification. 

1st  Sermon. — How  to  prepare  for  a  good  death,  according  to  the  example 

of  Simeon. 
2d         "  On  the  symbolical  meaning  of  the  blessed  candle-light  upon 

its  presentation.  \ 

3d         "  On  the  zealous  fulfillment  of  our  duties  to  the  Church  of  Go'd. 

The  Feast  of  St.  Joseph. 

1st  Sermon. — St.  Joseph,  after  Mary,  the  greatest  saint  in  heaven. 
2d         "  St.  Joseph,  after  Mary,  the  most  powerful  saint  in  heaven. 

3d         "  The  characteristic  virtues  of  St.  Joseph,  a  model  for  our  prog- 

ress on  the  way  to  perfection. 

The  Feast  of  the  Annunciation. 

1st  Sermon. — The  divine  sublimity  and  importance  of  the  message  of  the 
angel  to  Mary. 

2d         "  On  the  disposition  of  our  hearts  to  participate  in  the  fruits  of 

the  Incarnation. 

3d         *'  On  the  triumph  of  God's  infinite  mercy  achieved  by  the  re- 

demption of  mankind.  , 

Holy  Thursday. 

1st  Sermon. — Judas,  the  mirror  reflecting  the  whole  hideousness  of  the 
malice  and  abomination  of  a  Christian  in  the  state  of  sin. 

2d         "  St.  John  at  the   Paschal  Table   resting  on   the  bosom   of  our 

Lord. 

3d         **  Christ,  the  Sun  of  Consolation,  in  the  gloomy  night  of  suffer- 

ing. 

Good  Friday. 

1st  Sermon. — How  the  last  seven  words  of  Christ  on  the  cross  inflamed  the 
fire  of  zeal  in  the  heart  of  Mary  to  save  souls. 

2d         "  An  ardent  love  for  Jesus,  according  to  the  love  of  St.  John,  is 

the  channel  from  which  to  receive  most  abundantly  the  mer- 
its of  redemption. 

3d         **  Christ,  the  Sun,  which  brightens  the  dark  hours  of  death. 


720         INDEX    OF   THE    SERMONS   ON    THE    FEASTS. 

Easter  Sunday. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  conditions  in  which  we  should  celebrate,  with  the  joy 

of  Magdalen,  Easter — in  the  Spirit  of  the  Church. 
2d         "  St.  John  at  the  sepulcher,  and  the  characteristic  of  his  Easter 

3d         *'  Christ  the  Sun,  in  the  bliss  and  light  of  heaven. 

Easter  Monday. 

1st  Sermon. — Jesus  lives — be  confident  children  of  the  Church — but  you, 

enemies  of  the  Church,  tremble. 
2d         "  The  qualities  of  the  glorified  bodies  symbolizing  the  marks  of 

a  true  resurrection  from  sin. 
3d         *'  The  Easter  Alleluia — a  joy  of  triumph. 

Feast  of  the  Ascension. 

1st  Sermon. — The  longing  of  the  disciples  of  Christ  on  Mount  Olivet  after 
Christ. 
To  meet  Christ  with  joy,  coming  from  heaven  as  our  Judge. 
Christ  entering  hea  ven,  and,  nevertheless,  remaining  with  us 
in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  on  earth. 

Feast  of  Pentecost  Sunday. 

-On  the  confirming  character  of  the    seven  gifts  of  the  Holy 

Ghost. 
On  the  hardening  character  of  the  diabolical  confirmation,  and 

its  seven  awful  consequences. 
C'n  the  apostolate  of  instruction — example,  prayer,   and  de- 
sire. 

Feast  of  Pentecost  Monday. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  distinguishing  marks  of  the  Catholic  Church  to  be  the 

true  Church  of  Christ. 
2d         "  On    the  symbolical    meaning    of  the   parted    tongues    under 

whose  form  the  Holy  Ghost  descended. 
3d         "  On  the    dreadful  harm   done  to  the  Kingdom   of  God  by  the 

abuse  of  the  tongue. 

Feast  of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity. 

1st  Sermon. — The  Three  Divine  Persons  point  out  how  to  begin  our  heav- 
enly life  here  on  earth. 

2d         *'  Let  us  consider  the  relation  of  the  Three  Divine  virtues  to  the 

Three  Divine  Persons. 

3d         *'  How   the  efficacy  of   the    three  divine  virtues   signalized   the 

worship  of  God  in  opposition  to  the  flesh,  the  world,  and 
hell, — signalizing  the  worship  of  the  devil. 

Feast  of  Corpus  Christi. 

1st  Sermon. — On  the  names  given  by  the  Church  to  the  Most  Holy  Sac- 
rament. 

2d         "  The  presence  of  Christ  in  the  Holy  Eucharist  amply  recom- 

pensing His  visible  presence  on  earth. 

3d         **  Explanation  of  the  anthem:'  "O  sacred  banquet,"  etc. 


2d 

3d 

" 

1st 

/ 
Sermon, 

2d 

- 

3d 

i( 

INDEX    OF    THE    SERMONS    ON    THE    FEASTS.  *] 2\ 

Feast  of  the  Sacred  Heart. 

1st  Sermon. — The    Sacred    Heart    is  the  portal  to  enter  into  the  sanctuary 

of  the  personal  love  of  Christ. 
2d         *f  To    comprehend    the  total  height  and  depth,   and  the  entire 

breadth  and  length,   of  the  love  of  Jesus,  we  have  to  look 

into  the  depths  of  His  pierced  and  open  heart. 
3d         •'  On  the  meaning  of  the  words :  Is  thy  heart  right,  as  my  heart 

is  with  thy  heart. 

Feast  of  SS.  Peter  and  Paul. 

1st  Sermon. — The  marks  of   the    Church    grounded  in  the  prerogatives  by 

which  Christ  invested   her  Head — the  Pope — His  Vicar  on 

earth. 
2d         "  On  the  dogma  of  the  Infallibility  of  the  Pope. 

3d         *'  The  very  promises    made    by  the    Saviour   to  Peter — the  un- 

shakeable    foundation    of   the   Church — are    applied    to   us; 

also  the   guarantees    of  our    perseverance    as  true  children 

of  the  Church. 

Feast  of  the  Scapular. 

1st  Sermon. — The    Scapular,  through    Mary  the    Mother  of   Knowledge,  a 

.    shield  of  Holy  Faith. 
2d         **  The  Scapular,   through    Mary  the    mother  of   Holy  Hope,  a 

shield  for  her  children  to  strengthen  their  hope. 
3d         **  The   Scapular,    through    Mary  the    Mother    of    Fair    Love,   a 

shield  for  her  children  to  increase  their  love  of  God. 

Feast  of  the  Assumption. 

1st  Sermon. — The  "Ave  Maria"  addressed    by  the  blessed   souls  to  Mary 

entering  heaven. 
2d         "  Mary  ascended  to  the  summit  of  glory  in  heaven  because  she 

descended  to  the  humblest  depths  of  humility  on  earth. 
3d         **  On  the  desire  to  see  Mary  in  heaven. 

Feast  of  the  Natiyity  of  Mary. 

1st  Sermon. — The    Nativity  of    the    Blessed    Virgin    Mary — the    consoling 

dawn  of  our  Redemption. 
2d         "  The  answer  to  the  question  :  What  Child  is  this  that  is  born 

to-day  ? 
3d         "  On  the  curse  through  the  fall  of  Adam,  and  on  the  blessing 

brought  over  mankind,  through  Christ. 

Festival  of  the  Holy  Rosary. 

1st  Sermon. — The  fragrant  roses  of  the  joyful  Rosary. 
2d         *'  The  fragrant  roses  of  the  sorrowful  Rosary. 

3d         •'  The  fragrant  roses  of  the  glorious  Rosary. 

Feast  of  the  Consecration  of  a  Church. 

1st  Sermon. — The  consecration  or  dedication  of  a  Church  is  a  reflex  of  the 
love  by  which  Christ  loved  and  sanctified  the  Church. 

2d         *'  On  the  overflowing  Redemption  of  mankind. 

3d         '*  The  structure  and  disposition  of  a  Church  designing  the  pro- 

prieties of  our  souls  as  a  living  temple  of  God. 


72  2  INDEX    OF    THE    SERMONS    ON    THE    FEASTS 

Feast  of  the  Holy  Angels. 

1st  Sermon. — The  characteristic  virtues  of   our  gu-ardian   Angel   to  be   en- 
grafted in  our  souls. 
2d         "  On  the  traits  of  our  guardian  Angel  as  our  guide  to  heaven. 

3d         "  On  the  devotion  of  the  guardian  Angels  of  others. 

Festival  of  All  Saints. 

1st  Sermon. — The  Canticle  of  Moses  sung  in  heaven. 

2d         "  The  Saints  telling  us  from  heaven  which  were  their  principles 

of  life  on  earth. 
3d         "  The  joy  of  the  Saints  in  heaven  gazed  as  in  a  mirror  on  earth. 

Festival  of  All  Souls. 

1st  Sermon. — The  longing  of  the  souls  in  Purgatory  after  God. 
2d         "  The  pains  of  Purgatory  cleansing  our  souls  on  earth. 

3d         *'  The  prayer  for  the  dead  is  wholesome  for  them,  and  more  yet 

for  ourselves. 


• 


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